English Dictionary

Definition of “heft

heft (hɛftPronunciation for heft

Definitions

verb (tr)

  1. to assess the weight of (something) by lifting
  2. to lift

noun

  1. US weight
  2. US the main part

Alternative Forms

ˈhefter noun

Word Origin

C19: probably from heave, by analogy with thieve, theft, cleave, cleft

Usage examples

  • "He stood in the passage when she'd gone and felt the heft of the knife in his hand.
    Clive Barker, SACRAMENT (2001)
  • If perfected, the device could eventually allow supersoldiers and later, civilians to heft giant loads.
    Maxim (2004)
  • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: The fat philanthropist demands a thieving recycler of equal heft.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • Andrew Foster-Williams, as the Philistine king Achis, needed more heft to his bass; but that was the main cast's only drawback.
    Times, Sunday Times (2004)
  • The boy seemed pleased by my interest and I handled the gun admiringly, feeling the balance and heft of it.
    James Fergusson, KANDAHAR COCKNEY: A Tale of Two Worlds (2004)

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