heartstrings

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heartstrings

/ˈhɑːtstɹɪŋz/ UK
/ˈhɑɹtˌstɹɪŋz/ US

Where it comes from

PIE word

*ḱḗr

From Late Middle English hartestrynges, hert strynges, from Middle English herte (“heart”) + strenges, strynges (“cords, strings”). The English word is analysable as heart + strings.

noun heartstring · heart-strings · heart strings

historical, plural, plural normally The tendons or other structures resembling cords once thought to be attached to, or to brace, the heart; especially the aorta, pulmonary artery, and other large arteries connected to them; also, the diaphragm. Harte ſtrynges uenies de cuevr.
broadly, plural, plural normally Synonym of chordae tendineae (“the cord-like tendons that connect the papillary muscles to the tricuspid valve and the mitral valve in the heart”). The atrioventricular valves are prevented from turning inside out by strands of connective tissue, which run from their underside to the walls of the ventricle. These are the so-called heartstrings or chordae tendin[e]ae.
Similar: chordae tendineae
figuratively, plural, plural normally The source of one's deepest emotions or inner feelings, especially compassion or love. The sad eyes of the orphan tugged at my heartstrings.
archaic, figuratively, plural, plural normally The essential or vital part of something; the core, the essence, the heart. And for to ſeeke out gemmes and ſome little ſtones, vve ſtrike pits deep vvithin the ground. Thus vvee plucke the very heart-ſtrings out of her [the Earth], and all to vveare on our finger one gemme or precious ſtone, to fulfill our pleaſure and deſire.
Similar: bowels, sum, brass tacks, core, crux, essence, gist, drift, guts, gravamen, heart, heart and soul

Translations

Every language

noun tendons or other structures resembling cords once thought to be attached to, or to brace, the heart

日本語	琴線 kinsen
中文	心弦 xīnxián
Русский	серде́чные стру́ны serdéčnyje strúny

noun source of one’s deepest emotions or inner feelings

日本語	琴線 kinsen
中文	心弦 xīnxián
Deutsch	innerste Gefühle
Русский	глубоча́йшие чу́вства glubočájšije čúvstva, тайники́ души́ tajnikí duší

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MLA

"heartstrings." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/heartstrings. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

heartstrings. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/heartstrings

Chicago

"heartstrings." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/heartstrings.

BibTeX

@misc{heartstrings_2026,
  title = {heartstrings},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/heartstrings},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}