heal

heal [heel] SynonymsWord Origin verb (used with object)

1. to make healthy, whole, or sound; restore to health; free from ailment.
2. to bring to an end or conclusion, as conflicts between people or groups, usually with the strong implication of restoring former amity; settle; reconcile: They tried to heal the rift between them but were unsuccessful.
3. to free from evil; cleanse; purify: to heal the soul.

verb (used without object)

4. to effect a cure.
5. (of a wound, broken bone, etc.) to become whole or sound; mend; get well (often followed by up or over).

Origin of heal before 900; Middle English helen, Old English hǣlan (cognate with Dutch helen, German heilen, Old Norse heila, Gothic hailjan), derivative of hāl hale1, whole Related formsheal·a·ble, adjectivehalf-healed, adjectivepre·heal, verb (used with object)un·heal·a·ble, adjectiveun·healed, adjectivewell-healed, adjectiveCan be confusedheal heel he’llSynonyms for heal 2. compose, soothe. 3. purge, disinfect.Synonym study 1. See cure.Antonyms for heal 1, 2. irritate. 3. soil, infect. British Dictionary definitions for well-healed heal verb

1. to restore or be restored to health
2. (intr; often foll by over or up) (of a wound, burn, etc) to repair by natural processes, as by scar formation
3. (tr)
   1. to treat (a wound, etc) by assisting in its natural repair
   2. to cure (a disease or disorder)
4. to restore or be restored to friendly relations, harmony, etc

Derived Formshealable, adjectivehealer, nounhealing, noun, adjectiveWord Origin for heal Old English hælan; related to Old Norse heila, Gothic hailjan, Old High German heilen; see hale 1, whole Word Origin and History for well-healed heal v.

Old English hælan “cure; save; make whole, sound and well,” from Proto-Germanic *hailjan (cf. Old Saxon helian, Old Norse heila, Old Frisian hela, Dutch helen, German heilen, Gothic ga-hailjan “to heal, cure”), literally “to make whole” (see health). Related: Healed; healing.

well-healed in Medicine heal [hēl] v.

1. To restore to health or soundness; cure.
2. To become well; return to sound health.