Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
 
Help

Heroic

 - 4 dictionary results

he⋅ro⋅ic

[hi-roh-ik]
–adjective
1. Also, he⋅ro⋅i⋅cal. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a hero or heroine.
2. suitable to the character of a hero in size or concept; daring; noble: a heroic ambition.
3. having or displaying the character or attributes of a hero; extraordinarily bold, altruistic, determined, etc.: a heroic explorer.
4. having or involving recourse to boldness, daring, or extreme measures: Heroic measures were taken to save his life.
5. dealing with or describing the deeds, attributes, etc., of heroes, as in literature.
6. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the heroes of antiquity: heroic mythology.
7. used in heroic poetry. Compare heroic verse.
8. resembling heroic poetry in language or style; grandiloquent.
9. (of style or language) lofty; extravagant; grand.
10. larger than life-size: a statue of heroic proportions.
–noun
11. Usually, heroics. heroic verse.
12. heroics,
a. flamboyant or extravagant language, sentiment, or behavior, intended to seem heroic.
b. heroic action or behavior.

Origin:
1540–50; < L hērōicus < Gk hērōïkós of, pertaining to a hero; cf. late ME heroical, heroicus; see hero, -ic


he⋅ro⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
he⋅ro⋅i⋅cal⋅ness, he⋅ro⋅ic⋅ness, he⋅ro⋅ic⋅i⋅ty [heer-oh-is-i-tee] , noun


1, 2. dauntless, valiant, valorous, gallant, brave, courageous. 7. epic.


1–2. cowardly.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Heroic
he·ro·ic   (hĭ-rō'ĭk)   
adj.   also he·ro·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl)
  1. Of, relating to, or resembling the heroes of literature, legend, or myth.

  2. Having, displaying, or characteristic of the qualities appropriate to a hero; courageous: heroic deeds.

    1. Impressive in size or scope; grand: heroic undertakings.

    2. Of a size or scale that is larger than life: heroic sculpture.

n.  
  1. A line of heroic verse.

  2. heroics Heroic behavior or action.

  3. heroics Melodramatic behavior or language: "We trust the House . . . will come up with answers without all the political heroics" (Atlanta Constitution).

he·ro'i·cal·ly adv., he·ro'i·cal·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: he·ro·ic
Pronunciation: hi-'rO-ik also her-'O- or hE-'rO-
Function: adjective
1 : of a kind that is likely tobe undertaken only to save life <heroic surgery> <heroic treatment>
2 : having a pronounced effect —used chiefly of medicaments or dosage<heroic doses> heroic drug>
Medical Dictionary

heroic he·ro·ic (hĭ-rō'ĭk)
adj.
Relating to a risky medical procedure that may endanger the patient but also has a possibility of being successful, whereas lesser action would result in failure.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Heroic on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: