Definition: Hero
Etymology
From Middle English heroes, from Old French heroes, from Latin hÄ“rÅs (“heroâ€), from Ancient Greek á¼¥Ïως (hḗrÅs, “demi-god, heroâ€), from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to watch over, protectâ€). Related to Latin servo (“protectâ€). Displaced Middle English heleð, haleð, from Old English hæle.
Noun
hero (plural heroes or (sandwich sense only) heros, feminine heroine)
- A real or mythical person of great bravery who carries out extraordinary deeds.
- A role model.
- The main protagonist in a work of fiction.
- A champion.
- (US) A large sandwich made from meats and cheeses; a hero sandwich.
- (web design) The eye-catching top portion of a web page, sometimes including a hero image; the portion above the fold.
Derived terms
- action hero
- antihero
- folk hero
- local hero
- hero worship
- heroic
- heroics
- heroism
- superhero
- tragic hero
- unsung hero
Related terms
- heroine
Credits
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