Search the Dictionary

ge in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person. Each man is a hero and oracle to somebody. Emerson.

One of a party among the Jews, composed of partisans of Herod of Galilee. They joined with the Pharisees against Christ.

A division of wading birds, including the herons, storks, and allied forms. Called also Herodii. -- He*ro`di*o"nine, a.

A heroine. [Obs.] Dryden.

Of or pertaining to, or like, a hero; of the nature of heroes; distinguished by the existence of heroes; as, the heroic age; an heroic people; heroic valor.

Heroic. [R.] Spectator. -- He*ro"ic*al*ly, adv. -- He*ro"ic*al*ness, n.

Heroism. [R.] W. Montagu.

Combining the heroic and the ludicrous; denoting high burlesque; as, a heroicomic poem.

A woman of an heroic spirit. The heroine assumed the woman's place. Dryden.

The qualities characteristic of a hero, as courage, bravery, fortitude, unselfishness, etc.; the display of such qualities. Heroism is the self-devotion of genius manifesting itself in action. Hare.

One who treats of heroes. [R.] T. Warton.

Any wading bird of the genus Ardea and allied genera, of the family Ardeidæ. The herons have a long, sharp bill, and long legs and toes, with the claw of the middle toe toothed. The common European heron (Ardea cinerea) is remarkable for its directly ascending flight, and was formerly hunted with the larger falcons.…

A hawk used in hunting the heron. "Heroner and falcon." Chaucer.

A place where herons breed.

A heronshaw. [Obs.] Chaucer.

A heron. [Written variously hernshaw, harnsey, etc.]

The character or personality of a hero. "Three years of heroship." Cowper.

A river in the Nether World or infernal regions; also, the infernal regions themselves. By some of the English poets it was supposed to be a flaming lake or gulf. Shak.

Of or pertaining to Acheron; infernal; hence, dismal, gloomy; moribund.

Destitute of anthers. Gray.