hero
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Latin hērōs (“‘hero’”) ← Homeric Greek ἥρως (demi-god), according to Plato derives from Eros.
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Modern etymologists, based on the work of Julius Pokorny, derive the word from Indo-European *ser-, "protect". A hero is a "protector" or "defender". Both the American Heritage Dictionary and Webster's Third International Dictionary take this view. In the works of Homer, the word is reserved to the chief warriors and captains. Words such as Hera and conserve come from the same root.
[edit] Pronunciation
- (US) IPA: /hɪroʊ/ or IPA: /hiːroʊ/
- (UK) IPA: /hɪərəʊ/
- Audio (US)help, file
- Rhymes: -ɪərəʊ, -ɪɹoʊ, -iːɹoʊ
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
hero (plural heroes)
- 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.
- A large sandwich made from meats and cheeses; a hero sandwich
- Someone who possesses supernatural powers (in fiction) such as Spiderman.
[edit] Synonyms
- see WikiSaurus:hero
- (sandwich): grinder, hoagie, hoagy, poor boy, po' boy, sub, submarine, submarine sandwich, torpedo, wedge
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Translations
person of great bravery
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role model
main protagonist
champion
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
[edit] Luo
[edit] Verb
hero
- to love
