Library / English Dictionary

HEAVENS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

Synonyms:

celestial sphere; empyrean; firmament; heavens; sphere; vault of heaven; welkin

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Hypernyms ("heavens" is a kind of...):

surface (the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object)

Meronyms (parts of "heavens"):

apex; apex of the sun's way; solar apex (the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed stars)

celestial point (a point in the heavens (on the celestial sphere))

nadir (the point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected)

zenith (the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected)

zodiac (a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes)

Credits

 Context examples: 

"Good heavens!" cried Elinor, "could it be—could Willoughby!"

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Heavens! don't bite it! Cut—and cut with reverence!

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

On December 2, big news is happening in the heavens.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Then, ere the sun was on the slope of the heavens, they had deftly trussed up again, and were swinging merrily upon their way, two hundred feet moving like two.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I could scarcely catch my breath, so fiercely was I impelled through the heavens.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The sun was low, and the heavens glowed with the splendor of an autumn sunset.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“Good heavens!” cried Elizabeth; “but how could that be? How could his will be disregarded? Why did you not seek legal redress?”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Then, ere the great dark came upon us—for even after down-sun the heavens reflected the gone sun on the snow, and all was for a time in a great twilight—I took out the horses and fed them in what shelter I could.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

But marriage bells at the end was the one thing he could take no liberties with; though the heavens rolled up as a scroll and the stars fell, the wedding bells must go on ringing just the same.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Mrs Musgrove was good humouredly beginning to express her perfect readiness for the play, if Henrietta and all the others liked it, when Mary eagerly interrupted her by exclaiming—Good heavens, Charles! how can you think of such a thing?

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)