From Middle English helen, from Old English hǣlan (“to heal, cure, save, greet, salute”), from Proto-West Germanic *hailijan, from Proto-Germanic *hailijaną (“to heal, make whole, save”), from Proto-Indo-European *kéh₂ilos (“healthy, whole”). Derived from the adjective at hand in whole. Cognates Cognate with Scots hale, hail (“to heal”), Saterland Frisian heila, heilen (“to heal”), West Frisian hielje, Dutch helen (“to heal”), German heilen (“to heal”), Danish hele, Swedish hela (“to heal”), and further Russian цели́ть (celítʹ, “to heal”), Polish calić (“to save”), Czech celit (“to heal”), Serbo-Croatian céliti (“to heal”).
1
To make better from a disease, wound, etc.; to revive or cure.
This bandage will help to heal your cut.
Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 8:8:
2
To become better or healthy again.
Bandages allow cuts to heal.
3
Figuratively To reconcile, as a breach or difference; to make whole; to free from guilt.
to heal dissensions
to heal a broken heart
1 more example
English spelling, although unphonetic and antiphonetic, was inherited from our ancestors and has served magnificently in the glorious past. The weak spot in English spelling, however, can be easily healed with the global alphabet.1945, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations, Global Alphabet: Hearing Before the Committee..., page 69:
From Middle English helen, from Old English hǣlan (“to heal, cure, save, greet, salute”), from Proto-West Germanic *hailijan, from Proto-Germanic *hailijaną (“to heal, make whole, save”), from Proto-Indo-European *kéh₂ilos (“healthy, whole”). Derived from the adjective at hand in whole. Cognates Cognate with Scots hale, hail (“to heal”), Saterland Frisian heila, heilen (“to heal”), West Frisian hielje, Dutch helen (“to heal”), German heilen (“to heal”), Danish hele, Swedish hela (“to heal”), and further Russian цели́ть (celítʹ, “to heal”), Polish calić (“to save”), Czech celit (“to heal”), Serbo-Croatian céliti (“to heal”).
1
A spell or ability that restores hit points or removes a status ailment.
Roleplaying games
Also, various interesting spells have been added—for instance, with the Orb spell, you can circle a character, firing offensive bolts or casting heals, and free up a mage-type to cast other spells or even melee.2004, Computer Gaming World, volumes 234-237, page 81:
The following macro checks whether our current target is friendly and casts a heal on it if so; otherwise it casts the heal on the target's target […]2009, Paul Emmerich, Beginning Lua with World of Warcraft Add-ons, page 351:
1 more example
Synner, a priest walking by, sees her struggling and casts a heal on her.2012, Constance Steinkuehler, Kurt Squire, Sasha Barab, Games, Learning, and Society:
2
Video gamesIn plural Healing; an instance of restoration of health or hit points.