Etymology
From Middle English heroes, from Old French heroes, from Latin hērōs (“hero”), from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs, “demi-god, hero”), from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to watch over, protect”). Related to Latin servo (“protect”). 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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