Dictionary

healful en · ADJ

Etymology

From Middle English heeleful, heleful, equivalent to heal (“health, well-being”) + -ful. Compare healless.

Meanings

1. Tending or serving to heal; health-promoting; healing.
   • healful remedies
   • As for psychogenic death, this will be the case when three supplementary, in this case, healful conditions are fulfilled: […] 2008, Bernardo N. De Luca, Mind-Body and Relaxation Research Focus:
2. Full of health or safety; healthy; whole; sound; safe.
   • And, therefore, what is more healful than the sweetness of this sight, or what softer thing may be felt? 1957, Ray C. Petry, Late medieval mysticism:
   • […] I believe my Father catched [sic] cold on his journey, tho' he was otherways a very strong healful man, for on his return to Pennicuik a boile broke out between his shoulders, which in a very few days turn'd to a Mortification. 1892, Scottish History Society, Publications of the Scottish History Society:
   • The public conscience demands that they work under healful conditions, with ample light, without overspceding, and with the same provisions for their safety at their work that the employer would desire for himself were he so employed. 1913, Samuel Gompers, John McBride, William Green, The American federationist:
3. Affording health or salvation.
   • […] since Christ will not fail to minister, himself, all lawful and healful sacraments, and necessary at all time, and especially at the end, […] 1844, John Foxe, George Townsend, The acts and monuments of John Foxe:

Forms