{"id":435762,"date":"2018-06-27T14:48:57","date_gmt":"2018-06-27T14:48:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essaypaper.org\/definition-of-health-definition-essay-samples\/"},"modified":"2018-10-24T09:06:34","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T09:06:34","slug":"definition-of-health-definition-essay-samples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/definition-of-health-definition-essay-samples\/","title":{"rendered":"Definition of Health : Definition Essay Samples"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The word \u201chealth\u201d seems to be straightforward. However, each word has a history and nuances in definition, and the word \u201chealth\u201d is no exception. Health can be spoken about in terms of biology, wellbeing, and personal satisfaction. In the following paragraphs, we will explore the etymology of the word \u201chealth\u201d and how the word relates to various disciplines. <\/p>\n

There are two theories of the progression of this word. Firstly, it is thought that \u201chealth\u201d as a term derives from the Proto-Germanic word \u201chali\u00feaz,\u201d man or hero. Later, with Old English, the word transformed into \u201ch\u00e6le\u00fe,\u201d with the meaning of man, hero, or fighter. Finally, in Middle English, the word became \u201chaleth,\u201d which has the same definition as in Old English. According to another form of etymology for \u201chealth,\u201d the word came from the Proto-Germanic term \u201chaliaz,\u201d which is defined as whole or hale. This transferred to the West Proto-Germanic language as \u201chaili\u00fe\u014d,\u201d \u201ch\u01e3l\u00fe\u201d in Old English, and \u201chealthe\u201d in Middle English\u2014all with the same meaning. According to the first theory, \u201chealth\u201d is \u201cCognate with West Frisian held (\u201chero\u201d), Dutch held (\u201chero\u201d), German Held (\u201chero\u201d), Danish helt (\u201chero\u201d), Swedish hj\u00e4lte (\u201chero\u201d), Norwegian hold (\u201chero\u201d) (Wiktionary<\/em>). As you can see, the progression of the word \u201chealth\u201d is a bit muddled, and not exactly linear in meaning. <\/p>\n

However, in modern English, it is understood to be a mass noun referring to \u201cThe state of being free from illness or injury,\u201d figuratively as \u201cA person\u2019s mental or physical condition,\u201d and as a saying, with it being \u201cUsed to express friendly feelings towards one\u2019s companions before drinking\u201d<\/strong> (Oxford Dictionaries<\/em>). This is far from the definitions and the contexts it was used in some of etymological theories of its Proto-Germanic, Old English, and Middle English origins. <\/p>\n

Though these are standard definitions of \u201chealth,\u201d the word also correlates to many disciples. For instance, The World Health Organization in 1948 proposed that health relates to \u201cphysical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity\u201d (World Health Organization<\/em>). However, later the Organization revised its definition as, \u201cThe extent to which an individual or group is able to realize aspirations and satisfy needs and to change or cope with the environment. Health is a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living; it is a positive concept, emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities\u201d (WHO Regional Office for Europe<\/em>). It is easily noticed that this pivotal Organization changed its definition to a more holistic statement as time went on. <\/p>\n

In relation to psychology, which focuses more on mental health (which also interacts with our physical system), the word \u201chealth\u201d is prominent. According to Psych Central<\/em>, \u201cMental health and wellness is the state at which one feels, thinks, and behaves. Mental health can be viewed on a continuum, starting with an individual who is mentally well and free of any impairment in his or her daily life, while someone else might have mild concerns and distress, and another might have a severe mental illness. Mental health is just as vital as physical health\u201d (Psych Central<\/em>). As you might have noticed, mental health is not so black and white. It is difficult to determine the exact sanity or insanity of a person; however, we can generalize about how a person stands in terms of mental health. <\/p>\n

\u201cHealth\u201d is a fairly old word, deriving from the Proto-Germanic language, which continued on in Old English and in Middle English. There are two versions of its etymology, but at present there is usually one generalized definition of the word by the World Health Organization. Health encompasses physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. <\/p>\n

References<\/h2>\n

\u201cHealth.\u201d Wiktionary<\/em>, en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/health.<\/p>\n

\u201cHealth | Definition of Health in English by Oxford Dictionaries.\u201d Oxford Dictionaries<\/em> | English, Oxford Dictionaries, en.oxforddictionaries.com\/definition\/health.<\/p>\n

World Health Organization (1958). The first ten years of the World Health Organization. Geneva: WHO<\/em>.<\/p>\n

World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe (1984). Health promotion : a discussion document on the concept and principles : summary report of the Working Group on Concept and Principles of Health Promotion, Copenhagen, 9\u201313 July 1984(ICP\/HSR 602(m01)5 p). Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat Mental Health Means to Me.\u201d Psych Central<\/em>, 10 May 2013, psychcentral.com\/blog\/what-mental-health-means-to-me\/.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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