different between heavens vs john

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?h?v?nz/
• Hyphenation: heav?ens

Noun

heavens pl (plural only)

1. plural of heaven

Noun

heavens (uncountable)

1. (often with 'the') The distant sky of the sun, moon, and stars.
   • 1625, Nathanæl Carpenter, Geography delineated forth in two bookes, I iv 77:

     […] the Heauens, which are carryed in 24 houres from Ea?t to We?t, […]

   • 1981, E.R. Harrison, Cosmology, XII 250:

     […] in an infinitely large universe the stars would collectively outshine the Sun and flood the heavens with light far more intense than is observed.

2. (religion) plural of heaven: the abode of God or the gods; the abode of the blessed departed.
   • 1832, Charles Coleman, The Mythology of the Hindus, XIII 220:

     Like the Buddhas, they [the Jains] believe that there is a plurality of heavens and hells;

   • 1906 July 30, Washington Post, 12 4:

     Christ's coming from the heavens has entered into the life of humanity as the Founder of the world to come.

3. (rare) plural of heaven: the near sky of the weather, etc.
4. (rare) plural of heaven the will of God or the gods, Providence.

Usage notes

The plural form "heavens" or "the heavens" has been typical in reference to the impersonal sky since the 17th century. The plural form became less common in reference to the abode of God, the gods, or the blessed departed as the medieval view of celestial spheres was disproven; it is still commonly used, however, in discussing theologies such as Buddhism which retain numerous heavens or levels of heaven.

The term is capitalized as Heavens or "the Heavens" when (infrequently) used as a proper name.

Derived terms

• the heavens opened
• though the heavens fall

Translations

Interjection

heavens!

1. An expression of surprise, contempt, outrage, disgust, boredom, or frustration.

Synonyms

• (expression of surprise): See Thesaurus:wow
• (expression of various negative emotions): for crying out loud!, for Christ's sake!, for God's sake! for goodness' sake!, for pity's sake!, good grief!

Derived terms

• good heavens
• great heavens
• heavens above
• heavens to Betsy
• heavens to Murgatroyd!
• merciful heavens!
• thank heavens!

Translations

Verb

heavens

1. Third-person singular simple present indicative form of heaven

English

Alternative forms

• John

Etymology

From the male given name John (q.v.), whose ubiquity led to extensive use of the name in generic contexts. Its use for toilets derive from John and Cousin John, which both probably relate to jacques and jakes, used in equivalent senses by the British and Irish.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?d??n/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?d??n/

Noun

john (plural johns)

1. (slang) A prostitute's client.
   • 2004, Dennis Cooper, The Sluts, page 233

     In the first part of the video, Thad sucks the john's cock and takes a load in his mouth.

   • 2013, McLachlin CJ, Canada (Attorney General) v. Bedford (2013 SCC 72), para. 62

     In-calls, where the john comes to the prostitute’s residence, are prohibited.

2. (slang, US) A device or place to urinate and defecate: now usually a toilet or lavatory, but also (dated) a chamber pot or outhouse.
3. (slang) A Western man traveling in East Asia.
4. A male mule.

Synonyms

• (prostitute's client): See Thesaurus:prostitute's client
• (device or place for urination and defecation): See Thesaurus:chamber pot, Thesaurus:toilet, and Thesaurus:bathroom

Derived terms

• johnny house
• port-o-john

Translations

References

Central Franconian

Alternative forms

• giehn, gohn (Moselle Franconian)
• jonn (Kölsch)

Etymology

From Old High German g?n, from Proto-Germanic *g?n?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /j??n/

Verb

john (third-person singular present jeht, past tense jeng, past participle jejange)

1. (Ripuarian) to go