The phrase "heaven send" is spelled with the digraph "ea" representing the "ɛ" sound, followed by a silent "v" and "en". In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be written as /ˈhɛvən sɛnd/. The phrase means a welcome, opportune, or unexpected arrival or occurrence, often considered a blessing from a higher power. The phrase may be considered archaic in modern English, but it still appears in certain idioms and expressions.
"Heaven send" is an idiomatic expression used to describe something that is regarded as a wonderful or fortunate occurrence or outcome, often seen as being an answer to a prayer or a stroke of luck. The phrase is typically used to convey a sense of relief, gratitude, or deep satisfaction for an unexpected event or result that is considered highly desirable or beneficial.
The term "heaven send" implies that the event or outcome in question is believed to have been divinely ordained or arranged by a higher power, such as a god or supreme being. It suggests that the occurrence is so fortuitous or propitious that it could only have come from the heavens.
This expression can be used in a variety of contexts, such as personal experiences, relationships, or even broader situations. For instance, in a personal context, someone might exclaim, "Finding that lost wallet with all the cash still inside was a heaven send!" Similarly, in a broader sense, one might say, "After years of drought, the rain that arrived in time for the crops was a heaven send for the farmers."
In essence, "heaven send" emphasizes the notion of a divine or providential intervention, suggesting that the occurrence is not merely a fortunate coincidence, but rather a result of a higher power's intervention or benevolence.
The phrase "heaven send" does not have a distinct etymology as it is a combination of two commonly used words: "heaven" and "send".
"Heaven" derives from Old English "heofon" which meant "home of God" or "the expanse above the earth". It ultimately traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "hemina" meaning "to cover" or "heaven".
"Send" comes from Old English "sendan", which means "to dispatch" or "to cause to go". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "sandijan" meaning "to send" or "to order".
When combined, "heaven send" is typically used to express gratitude or relief over a fortunate or beneficial event happening unexpectedly, as if it were a gift from heaven. However, it does not have a specific etymology distinct from the individual words.