heart of oak
/hɑːt əv ˈəʊk/noun
1The heartwood of the oak.
2 Figurative. A person with a strong, courageous nature, especially a brave and loyal soldier or sailor; (also) a courageous or valorous spirit. Frequently in plural Compare heart. Now somewhat archaic.
- The patriotic naval anthem popularly known as Hearts of Oak was written (originally for the pantomime Harlequin's Invasion) by David Garrick in 1759, the year of celebrated British military and naval victories at Minden, Quiberon Bay, and Quebec (New Oxf. Compan. Music (1983), p. 850)..
3In plural form Hearts of Oak. (The members of) an Irish non-sectarian organization which protested, often violently, against taxes for the building of new roads, and tithes exacted by the Church of Ireland. Compare Oakboy. historical in later use.
- The movement formed in 1763 and chiefly involved the people of Armagh, Tyrone, and Monaghan..
Origin
Late Middle English. From heart + of + oak. With use in sense 2 compare heart.