The word "health" is spelled with the phonetic sounds /hɛlθ/. The first sound, /h/, is a voiceless glottal fricative produced in the back of the throat. The second sound, /ɛ/, is a short open-mid vowel produced with the tongue in the central part of the mouth. The third sound, /l/, is a voiced alveolar lateral approximant produced with the tongue touching the alveolar ridge. The fourth sound, /θ/, is a voiceless dental fricative produced with the tongue between the teeth. These sounds together form the word "health" that means the state of being free from illness or injury.
Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being in which an individual is free from illness, injury, or disease. It is a dynamic condition that encompasses various aspects of an individual's life, including their physical fitness, emotional stability, and social functioning.
From a physical standpoint, health refers to the absence of any bodily ailments or infirmities. It involves being in good shape, both internally and externally, and having the ability to perform daily activities without limitations. Physical health relies on factors such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and the absence of chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Mental health is an integral component of overall health, focusing on an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. It involves having a positive mindset, being able to cope with stress and challenges, and maintaining a balanced mental state. Mental health is strongly influenced by various factors, including genetics, life experiences, social support, and access to mental healthcare.
Furthermore, health encompasses the social aspect, referring to an individual's ability to interact and engage with others in a positive and meaningful way. Social well-being involves having a supportive network of relationships, feeling connected to one's community, and experiencing a sense of belonging.
Overall, health is a multifaceted concept that encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being. It goes beyond the mere absence of illness and encompasses the overall quality of life and the ability to live a fulfilling and productive existence.
Absence of disease; a condition of body and mind in which all the functions are normally performed.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Sound state of the body, in which the parts perform freely their natural functions; mental vigour; moral purity; divine favour.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "health" originated from the Old English word "hǣlth", which in turn was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*hailithō". This Proto-Germanic word is related to the Old Norse word "heilsa" and the Gothic word "hails". All these words ultimately trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*kailo-", meaning whole, sound, or uninjured. The concept of health has therefore been associated with being complete or free from harm throughout its etymological history.