Heroism
/ˈhɪr.oʊ.ɪ.zəm/noun
Heroic conduct or qualities; bravery and noble action.
Did you know?In Greek tradition, heroes were often dead humans honored with cult rituals, so heroism originally lived in the shadow of sacrifice, ancestry, and divine favor.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ser-
“to protect, watch over”
Ancient Greek
GRK
hḗrōs (ἥρως)
“a hero; a demigod or warrior of extraordinary rank”
Late Latin
LAT
heroicus
“heroic, of heroes”
Middle French
OFr
heroïque
“heroic”
16th Century
English
heroic
“pertaining to heroes; bold or grand in style”
17th Century
English
heroism
“the quality of being heroic”