heart and souln.adv.adj.
/ˌhɑːt (ə)n(d) ˈsəʊl/, U.S. /ˌhɑrd ən ˈsoʊl/ A. n.
1. The whole of one's energy and affection; one's whole being. Esp. in earlier use with heart and soul: = with (also †mid) one's whole heart at heart n., int., and adv. Phrases 1j(a). Cf. life and soul at life n. Phrases 10b and with one's whole soul at soul n. Phrases 1a(a).
ΚΠ
a1450 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (Douce 295) i. xliv. f. 41v For be hym [sc. a false prophet] god asayith ȝou þat it mow ben opynly knowyn wheþir ȝe louyn hym with al ȝoure herte & soule or nouth.
1517 W. Atkinson tr. Full Deuoute & Gostely Treatyse Imytacyon Cryste iv. ix. sig. B.iiiv And thys daye good lorde I offre vnto the my selfe perpetually to be thy seruaunt wyth my herte and soule fully to contynue.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II v. iii. 102 He prayes but faintly, and would be denied, We pray with heart and soule, and all beside. View more context for this quotation
1685 H. Bold & W. Bold tr. in Latine Songs 154 Then here's a bowl, With Heart and Soul To Charles, and say amen to't.
1703 Duke of Marlborough Let. 18 Apr. in H. L. Snyder Marlborough–Godolphin Corr. (1975) I. 165 That I may be rewarded with quietness and your company, shall be the constant prayers of him that is with heart and soull yours.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas II. v. i. 243 To all appearance, you sol-fa with your whole heart and soul.
1884 Times (Weekly ed.) 26 Sept. 6/2 The earnest actor who has heart and soul in his work.
1969 Cultural News from India Nov. 13 Kanak has devoted her whole heart and soul to the study of Kathakali.
2001 Dreamwatch Oct. 70/1 I think you have a bunch of really professional actors who bring their heart and soul to this, whether the writing's good or bad.
2. With the. A person who or thing which forms the vital or central part of something; the essence or core. Cf. the life (and soul) of (something, esp. a party) at life n. 5a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > essence or intrinsic nature > [noun] > vital part or vitalizing influence
pitheOE
sap1526
quicka1566
lifeblood1582
heartstring1584
entelechy1603
heart1603
heart-blood1606
heart and soul1616
heart's-blooda1631
life's bloodc1635
1616 S. Hieron Doctrines Triall 39 Excellently spake he, who called the Scripture the heart and soule of God.
1646 S. Rutherford Divine Right Church-govt. xxvii. 601 This is the heart and soul of Popery, that the Papists teach that Christ..hath left..an earthly and visible Monarch as his Vicar on earth.
1763 St. James' Chron. 28 July 4/1 Slavery and Poverty will kill those Vermin, which are preying on the very Heart and Soul of our Constitution.
1812 Weekly Reg. 4 Apr. 86/2 Until Upper Canada,..the very heart and soul of this nefarious business, shall be subjugated by the United States.
1878 M. Williams Mod. India 131 The worship of Vishṇu and Śiva..constitute the very heart and soul of Southern Hindūism.
1910 Weston Gaz. 15 Jan. 6/2 He is still the heart and soul of the animal-park at Stellingen.
1955 H. J. Grossman Guide to Wines, Spirits & Beers (rev. ed.) ix. 111 The heart and soul of the system by which Sherry is produced is the Solera.
2011 Sphere Spring 111 (advt.) Planters Inn, whose courtyard, piazzas, expansive suites and rooms overlook the heart and soul of Historic Charleston.
B. adv.
With all one's energy and devotion; wholeheartedly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > zeal or enthusiasm > [adverb]
yernlyc725
yerneOE
yernfullyOE
earnestlyOE
fastOE
needlya1350
keenlya1375
prestlya1375
eagerlyc1380
busilya1400
earnestfullya1400
enkerly?a1400
entirelya1400
affectuously?a1425
affectuallyc1425
effectually1434
heartfullya1450
heartilya1450
increlyc1480
zealously?1495
affectionately1534
earnest1563
heart and soul1620
obnixiously1632
obnixely1641
earn1656
warmly1665
enthusiastically1730
con amore1749
ravingly1825
wholeheartedly1845
enthusiastly1846
the mind > will > decision > resolution or determination > [adverb]
strongeOE
fastOE
stably1297
strengthlya1400
unabasedlyc1425
unfaintlyc1425
four-squarec1430
strengthilyc1485
determinedlyc1540
resolutely1549
determinately1556
martyr-like1579
resolvedly1587
strongly1591
undauntedly1598
heart and soul1620
fairly and squarely1628
bently1645
decisively1653
supportinglya1664
setly1673
decidedly1770
martyrly1819
immitigably1824
staunchly1825
unshrinkingly1826
unflinchingly1833
hell-bent1863
square1867
fair and square1870
full-bloodedly1898
1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes 2nd Pt. Don Quixote xliv. 290 So recommending himself, heart and soul, to his Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, hee determined to hearken to the Musick.
1655 J. Goodwin Fresh Discov. 28 [They] are devoted heart and soul to the promoting of the latter [sc. Christian Religion].
1795 R. Adair Whig's Apol. 38 The British court was heart and soul in the confederacy.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 68 Entering heart and soul into the dust and heat of the Church's war with the world.
1888 J. W. Burgon Lives Twelve Good Men II. xi. 329 He threw himself, heart and soul, into every requirement of the time.
1932 G. B. Shaw Let. 16 Apr. in Bernard Shaw & Mrs. P. Campbell (1952) 300 Ellen, though she came through with me virgo intacta, gave herself away heart and soul without a thought of reserve.
2006 Brides Sept. 100/2 I admit a pre-nuptial agreement isn't the most romantic subject to raise when you're about to commit, heart and soul.
C. adj. (attributive).
Devoted and enthusiastic; committed, wholehearted; (also) that is felt from the heart (and soul), deeply felt.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > resolution or determination > [adjective] > dedicated
heart and soula1806
dedicated1944
a1806 D. Wordsworth Jrnl. Tour Scotl. in Jrnls. (1941) I. 205 He himself was very fond of eating of the spoil—unusual with true heart-and-soul sportsmen.
1836 C. Darwin in Life & Lett. (1887) I. 275 The heart-and-soul manner in which he put himself in my place.
1896 Unitarian Dec. 539/1 Our lips [must] be taught to better articulate the heart-and-soul language of humanity.
1951 Rotarian Oct. 15/2 Dr. Anderson waged a heart-and-soul struggle through personal efforts and the columns of the Booneville Independent.
1970 Billboard 10 Oct. 66/2 Another powerhouse sales item from the heart and soul stylist.
2004 N.Y. Times Mag. 2 May 57/1 The deans of the [German] Social Democratic Party are not anti-American, but none of them are full-blooded, heart-and-soul Atlanticists.
Phrases
to put one's heart and soul into (something): to devote all one's energy and enthusiasm to.
ΚΠ
1809 Antijacobin Rev. Aug. 432 Put your heart and soul into the act, and fulminate upon the darling topic.
1869 Arthur's Home Mag. Dec. 347/1 Off there in South America, young Wentworth, shaping his life to new issues, putting his heart and soul into work and daily details of business, into new habits of industry.
1936 M. R. Anand Coolie v. 340 Still, he had tried to show his gratitude to the Sahib by putting his heart and soul into the work at the bungalow.
1977 M. Frayn Alphabet. Order ii, in Plays: One (1985) 67 She hasn't been here long, I know. But she's put her whole heart and soul into this place.
2009 Vanity Fair May 108/4 This year I'm putting my heart and soul into helping President Barack Obama sort out the economic crisis.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adv.adj.a1450