verb
heal
HEEL/hiːl/
To restore damaged tissue or health to sound condition.
The nurse removes the bandage to reveal that the child’s scraped knee has healed.
Etymology
Old English hælan expressed making someone whole, sound, and well. Healing an injury continues that idea of restoring wholeness; the verb also came to describe becoming well without naming whoever or whatever brings recovery.
In context
heal his brothers arm, return the relic
and heal from any stress-induced damage.
More examples
- The ointment helps heal the sore on his hand.
- Her broken ankle is healing well.
- The wound healed without leaving a scar.
Forms
heal · heals · healed · healing
healer noun — A person who treats illness or injury.