'heartbreaking' originates from the combination of 'heart' and 'break,' where 'heart' refers to the emotional center and 'break' means to cause damage or distress.

'heartbreaking' evolved from the Middle English word 'breken' (to break) combined with 'heorte' (heart), eventually forming the modern English word 'heartbreaking'.

Initially, it meant 'to cause emotional pain,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.