Heroic
/həˈroʊ.ɪk/noun
Having the qualities of a hero; exceptionally brave, noble, or dramatic.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek hērōs, a hero who could be honored almost like a local demigod, so “heroic” began life in the shadow of cult, myth, and divine ancestry.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ser-
“To watch over, protect”
Ancient Greek
Greek
hērōs
“A hero, especially a mortal of superhuman strength or divine descent”
Latin
Latin
heroicus
“Pertaining to heroes; heroic”
Old French
Old French
heroique
“Heroic; of a hero”
Middle English
English
heroic
“Of or pertaining to a hero; brave, noble, valiant”
Modern English
English
heroic
“Having the qualities of a hero; exceptionally brave or noble”