Coeur

Cœur is the French word for the heart, the muscular organ that powers the circulatory system. It is used literally to denote this organ and also figuratively to mean the center or essential part of something. In everyday language, it appears in expressions that convey emotion, courage, or kindness, such as avoir du cœur (to be compassionate or brave) or c’est tout cœur (with all one’s heart).

Origin and spelling: The term derives from Latin cor, cordis. It entered Old French as cuer and later evolved into the modern form cœur, written with the œ ligature. The spelling cœur is standard in contemporary French; the form coeur without the ligature appears in older texts or in some typographic contexts. The word is masculine, indicated by le cœur in usage.

Anatomy and physiology: In humans and many animals, the heart consists of four chambers—two atria and two ventricles—that contract in a coordinated rhythm to pump blood through the circulatory system. It is located in the thoracic cavity and its activity is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, hormones, and electrical conduction pathways, including the sinoatrial node.

Cultural usage: The heart has long served as a prominent symbol in literature, art, and popular culture. In French, many idioms center on cœur, reflecting its associations with emotion, vitality, and ethical character. Phrases such as avoir du cœur, un cœur brisé, and c’est tout cœur illustrate the word’s rich figurative uses.