Pronunciation: [hˈɑːtstɹɪŋ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "heartstring" is straightforward, as it is pronounced exactly as it is spelled. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is /hɑːrtstrɪŋ/. The first syllable, "heart," is pronounced with an open back unrounded vowel /hɑː/ and the second syllable, "string," is pronounced with an i sound /strɪŋ/. Together, the word "heartstring" refers to a person's emotions, especially their deep feelings of love or sympathy.
Heartstring (noun):
1. A figurative representation of the deepest emotions or sentiments, specifically those associated with love, affection, or empathy.
2. The emotional or sentimental core that connects a person's innermost feelings to others, often used metaphorically in poetry, literature, or conversations.
3. An idiom referring to the strings that metaphorically bind the heart, frequently used to describe situations or events that evoke strong emotional responses, such as nostalgia, compassion, love, or sympathy.
4. Figuratively, heartstring refers to a person's sensitivity or vulnerability, particularly when it comes to matters of the heart or deep emotional connections with others.
5. A specific area of heart muscle fibers or cords that play a role in regulating the heart's contraction, particularly related to the blood flow and heart's functioning. This anatomical definition is less common in everyday usage.
The term "heartstring" primarily encompasses the emotional, sentimental, and metaphorical aspects of human connections and deep feelings. It expresses the powerful and profound effects that emotions can have on people, often evoking a sense of tenderness, nostalgia, or shared human experiences. The concept of heartstrings suggests a connection between individuals, emphasizing the emotional bonds that bring people together. Consequently, it is often used in literary works, poems, or conversations to describe moments or situations that stir intense feelings, ultimately resonating with the human spirit.
The word "heartstring" has a literal meaning as well as a figurative one.
The etymology of "heartstring" can be traced back to the Old English word "heort" which meant "heart". In Middle English, the word "string" was added to "heort" to form "heartstring", referring to the tendons or nerves believed to connect the heart with other parts of the body.
Over time, the term "heartstring" also took on a metaphorical meaning, referring to the emotional or sentimental attachments that a person may have. When someone refers to their heartstrings being tugged or pulled, they are describing an emotional response, much like the metaphorical pulling of literal strings connected to the heart.
