a. (and sb.) Forms: 5 cardiake, 7 -aque, -acke, 7–8 -ack, 8– cardiac. [a. F. cardiaque of the heart, ad. L. cardiacus, a. Gr. καρδιακός, f. καρδία heart.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the heart, anatomically, physiologically or pathologically. † Cardiac passion [L. cardiaca passio]: ‘an old name for cardialgia or heartburn’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.); but app. orig. palpitation of the heart.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 153. The Cardiacke passion, which is a feeblenesse and trembling of the heart.
1629. Chapman, Juvenal, v. 65. No drop his longing-frend can git Though blowne in fume vp with a Cardiack fit.
1726. Monro, Anat. Nerves (1741), 74. The Cardiac Nerves.
1810. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 4), V. 177. Cardialgia … better known by the name of cardiac passion, or heartburn.
1835–6. Todd, Cycl. Anat., I. 192/1. The cardiac arteries arise from the aorta close to its origin.
1883. Nature, 15 March, 468. The cardiac action became stronger.
2. ‘Applied to medicines supposed to invigorate the heart’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.); cordial, strengthening.
1661. Evelyn, Fumifug., Misc. III. (1805), 241. Strawberries, whose very leaves … emit a cardiaque & most refreshing halitus.
1718. Quincy, Compl. Disp., 77. Whatsoever raises the Spirits, and gives sudden Strength … is term’d Cardiack, or Cordial, as comforting the Heart.
1744. Berkeley, Siris, § 64. The stomachick, cardiack, and diuretick qualities of this fountain.
1807. in G. Gregory, Dict. Arts.
3. Pertaining to or affected with disease of the heart.
1748. trans. Vegetius’ Distemp. Horses, 50. Such [Horses] as have the Head-ach, or the Staggers, or are mad or are cardiac.
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., II. 30. We both suffered from cardiac symptoms.
4. Anat. Distinctive epithet of the upper orifice of the stomach; hence applied to the corresponding end or region of the stomach, or to some organ connected with it. Cf. CARDIA.
1843. J. Wilkinson, trans. Swedenborg’s Anim. Kingd., I. ii. 70. The cardiac orifice guards the stomach.
1866. Huxley, Phys., vi. (1869), 166. Its [the stomach’s] left end is produced into an enlargement which, because it is on the heart side of the body, is called the cardiac dilatation. The opening of the gullet into the stomach, termed the cardiac aperture.
5. Heart-shaped (in cardiac wheel = HEART-CAM).
1864. in Webster.
B. sb.
† 1. A disease or affection of the heart, or referred to the heart; ? = cardiac passion (see A. I).
c. 1450. Destr. Jerus., Addit. MS. 10036, f. 29. Suche joie Titus gan undretake, That him toke a cardiake.
1468. Medulla, in Cath. Angl., 54. Cardiaca; quidam morbus, a cardyake.
1483. Cath. Angl., 54. A Cardiakylle or cardiake, cardia, cardiaca.
2. A medicine supposed to stimulate the heart, a cordial. Also fig.
1746. Berkeley, 2nd Let. Tar-water, § 6. This medicine of tar-water worketh … as a … cardiac.
1803. Man in Moon (1804), 65. No. 9. How many cardiacs has the fertile invention of modern dramatists mixed up … to please an audience?
