the heart that is (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

1. the heart

a. that organ in the animal body which is the centre of the circulation of the blood, and hence was regarded as the seat of physical life

b. denotes the centre of all physical and spiritual life

c. the vigour and sense of physical life

d. the centre and seat of spiritual life

1. the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours

2. of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence

3. of the will and character

4. of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions

e. of the middle or central or inmost part of anything, even though inanimate