Part 771

Heav"y (?), a. Having the heaves.

Heav"y (?), a. [Compar. Heavier (?); superl. Heaviest.] [OE. hevi, AS. hefig, fr. hebban to lift, heave; akin to OHG. hebig, hevig, Icel. hˆfigr, hˆfugr. See Heave.] 1. Heaved or lifted with labor; not light; weighty; ponderous; as, a heavy stone; hence, sometimes, large in extent, quantity, or effects; as, a heavy fall of rain or snow; a heavy failure; heavy business transactions, etc.; often implying strength; as, a heavy barrier; also, difficult to move; as, a heavy draught.

2. Not easy to bear; burdensome; oppressive; hard to endure or accomplish; hence, grievous, afflictive; as, heavy yokes, expenses, undertakings, trials, news, etc.

The hand of the Lord was heavy upon them of Ashdod.

1 Sam. v. 6.

The king himself hath a heavy reckoning to make.

Shak.

Sent hither to impart the heavy news.

Wordsworth.

Trust him not in matter of heavy consequence.

Shak.

3. Laden with that which is weighty; encumbered; burdened; bowed down, either with an actual burden, or with care, grief, pain, disappointment.

The heavy [sorrowing] nobles all in council were.

Chapman.

A light wife doth make a heavy husband.

Shak.

4. Slow; sluggish; inactive; or lifeless, dull, inanimate, stupid; as, a heavy gait, looks, manners, style, and the like; a heavy writer or book.

Whilst the heavy plowman snores.

Shak.

Of a heavy, dull, degenerate mind.

Dryden.

Neither his ear heavy, that it can not hear.

Is. lix. 1.

5. Strong; violent; forcible; as, a heavy sea, storm, cannonade, and the like.

6. Loud; deep; -- said of sound; as, heavy thunder.

But, hark! that heavy sound breaks in once more.

Byron.

7. Dark with clouds, or ready to rain; gloomy; -- said of the sky.