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Learn by Heart (To)

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The heart is the seat of understanding; thus the Scripture speaks of men “wise in heart;” and “slow of heart” means dull of understanding. To learn by heart is to learn and understand; to learn by rote is to learn so as to be able to repeat; to learn by memory is to commit to memory without reference to understanding what is so learnt. However, we employ the phrase commonly as a synonym for committing to memory.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Leaf. (Anglo-Saxon leāf.)
League
Leak Out (To)
Leal
Leander
Leaning Tower
Leap Year
Leap in the Dark (A)
Lear (King)
Learn
Learn by Heart (To)
Learned
Least Said the soonest Mended (The) or The Less Said
Leather
Leather or Prunella
Leathering
Leatherstocking (Natty)
Leave in the Lurch (To)
Leave out in the Cold (To)
Leave some for Manners
Leaves without Figs