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heap

(hēp)

1. A group of things placed or thrown, one on top of the other: a heap of dirty rags lying in the corner.

2. often heaps Informal A great deal; a lot: We have heaps of homework tonight.

3. Slang An old or run-down car.

tr.v. heaped, heap·ing, heaps

1. To put or throw in a pile: heaped the clothes on the bed.

2. To fill completely or to overflowing: heap a plate with vegetables.

3. To bestow in abundance or lavishly: heaped praise on the rescuers.

[Middle English, from Old English hēap.]

Synonyms: heap, mound, pile¹, stack
These nouns denote a group or collection of things lying one on top of the other: a heap of old newspapers; a mound of boulders; a pile of boxes; a stack of firewood.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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