Heave

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Heave describes a forceful lifting, pulling, or throwing motion, often requiring great effort. It can refer to physically moving a heavy object, such as heaving a sack onto a truck, or natural movements like ocean waves heaving up and down. The term also applies to involuntary bodily actions, such as a chest heaving from exhaustion or nausea causing the body to heave in a retching motion.

When something heaves, it indicates a rising and falling motion or an exertion of force. Ships heave on turbulent waters, people heave sighs of relief, and the ground may heave during an earthquake. Whether describing physical effort, rhythmic movement, or bodily reactions, heave conveys a sense of strain, motion, or release.

In geology, heave refers to the horizontal displacement of rock or soil due to faulting, landslides, or expansion. It often occurs in mining, tunneling, or construction when ground movement shifts layers of earth sideways, affecting stability and alignment. Excessive heave can damage structures and requires mitigation efforts in engineering projects.

In medicine, heave describes an abnormal, forceful upward movement of the chest wall, often associated with heart conditions. A parasternal heave, for example, can indicate an enlarged right ventricle or other cardiovascular issues. This sign is detected through physical examination, where a noticeable lifting motion suggests underlying cardiac strain or hypertrophy.