heath

[ heeth ]
/ hiθ /

noun

a tract of open and uncultivated land; wasteland overgrown with shrubs.
any of various low-growing evergreen shrubs common on such land, as the common heather, Calluna vulgaris.
any plant of the genus Erica, or of the family Ericaceae.
Compare heath family.

Origin of heath

before 900; Middle English; Old English hǣth; cognate with German Heide, Old Norse heithr, Gothic haithi; akin to Welsh coed trees, wood

OTHER WORDS FROM heath

heath·less, adjective heath·like, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH heath

health heath

Definition for heath (2 of 2)

Heath
[ heeth ]
/ hiθ /

noun

Sir Edward (Richard George),1916–2005, British statesman: prime minister 1970–74.

Example sentences from the Web for heath

British Dictionary definitions for heath (1 of 2)

heath
/ (hiːθ) /

noun

British a large open area, usually with sandy soil and scrubby vegetation, esp heather
Also called: heather any low-growing evergreen ericaceous shrub of the Old World genus Erica and related genera, having small bell-shaped typically pink or purple flowers
any of several nonericaceous heathlike plants, such as sea heath
Australian any of various heathlike plants of the genus Epacris : family Epacridaceae
any of various small brown satyrid butterflies of the genus Coenonympha, with coppery-brown wings, esp the large heath (C. tullia)

Derived forms of heath

heathlike, adjective heathy, adjective

Word Origin for heath

Old English hǣth; related to Old Norse heithr field, Old High German heida heather

British Dictionary definitions for heath (2 of 2)

Heath
/ (hiːθ) /

noun

Sir Edward (Richard George). 1916–2005, British statesman; leader of the Conservative Party (1965–75); prime minister (1970–74)