HERO • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Hero

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/hˈɪroʊ/ Listen

noun

Hero n. (pl. heroes)

(Myth.) An illustrious man, supposed to be exalted, after death, to a place among the gods; a demigod, as Hercules.

A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person. "Each man is a hero and oracle to somebody."

The principal personage in a poem, story, and the like, or the person who has the principal share in the transactions related; as Achilles in the Iliad, Ulysses in the Odyssey, and Aeneas in the Aeneid. "The shining quality of an epic hero."

Hero worship, extravagant admiration for great men, likened to the ancient worship of heroes. 1 "Hero worship exists, has existed, and will forever exist, universally among mankind."

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Etymology of 'Hero'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Hero" Quotes from Famous Books

... haste to plunge into intellectual conversation to smooth over the defects of my attire." Sergey Ivanovitch, while he kept up a conversation with their hostess, had one ear for his brother, and he glanced askance at him. "What is the matter with him today? Why such a conquering hero?" he thought. He did not know that Levin was feeling as though he had grown wings. Levin knew she was listening to his words and that she was glad to listen to him. And this was the only thing that interested him. Not in that room only, but in the whole ...

— Anna Karenina • Leo Tolstoy

... Dick walked off with a disagreeable laugh, but George slipped his arm through his friend's. "If I didn't know better, I should say that you were a coward, Jack," he said. "I wish you had more of the hero in you." ...

— Friends and Helpers • Sarah J. Eddy

... veracious, of his doings at wine-parties; and proved, to the satisfaction of admiring freshmen, that he thought of nothing but his horse and his boating. He could do without study more than any other man could do with it; and as for that plodding Balliol hero, he might look to be beaten out of ...

— The Bertrams • Anthony Trollope

... all come from inside. From recognition of—of what you are, and what you've done for—for us all. You've been a hero. And you've been kind as well as brave. Antoun Effendi, I think you are a very great gentleman, and I ...

— It Happened in Egypt • C. N. Williamson & A. M. Williamson

... had the spirit which should be your birthright your eyes would flash with joy at the prospect of seeing a hero who could thus chase your enemies from our soil. If you could only have seen ...

— Miss Lou • E. P. Roe

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