Adjacent Words

Heroism definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

HER'OISM, n. The qualities of a hero; bravery; courage; intrepidity; particularly in war.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle); "he showed great heroism in battle"; "he received a medal for valor" [syn: heroism, gallantry, valor, valour, valorousness, valiance, valiancy]

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 1717 1. heroic conduct especially as exhibited in fulfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end 2. the qualities of a hero

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. heroic conduct or qualities. Etymology: F héro{iuml}sme f. héros HERO

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Heroism Her"o*ism (?; 277), n. [F. h['e]ro["i]sme.] The qualities characteristic of a hero, as courage, bravery, fortitude, unselfishness, etc.; the display of such qualities. Heroism is the self-devotion of genius manifesting itself in action. --Hare. Syn: Heroism, Courage, Fortitude, Bravery, Valor, Intrepidity, Gallantry. Usage: Courage is generic, denoting fearlessness or defiance of danger; fortitude is passive courage, the habit of bearing up nobly under trials, danger, and sufferings; bravery is courage displayed in daring acts; valor is courage in battle or other conflicts with living opponents; intrepidity is firm courage, which shrinks not amid the most appalling dangers; gallantry is adventurous courage, dashing into the thickest of the fight. Heroism may call into exercise all these modifications of courage. It is a contempt of danger, not from ignorance or inconsiderate levity, but from a noble devotion to some great cause, and a just confidence of being able to meet danger in the spirit of such a cause. Cf. Courage.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Heroism is great courage and bravery. ...individual acts of heroism.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Bravery, valor, courage, gallantry, prowess, daring, intrepidity, fearlessness, fortitude, boldness, endurance, great-heartedness.

Foolish Dictionary

A transferable ticket to the Haul of Fame. Once held by Hobson and Dewey, now carried by Mother Eddy and Brother Dowie.

Moby Thesaurus

Dutch courage, bigheartedness, bigness, boldness, braveness, bravery, chivalrousness, chivalry, consequence, conspicuous gallantry, courage, courageousness, distinction, doughtiness, elevation, eminence, errantry, exaltation, fame, fearlessness, gallantness, gallantry, gallantry under fire, generosity, generousness, glory, great heart, greatheartedness, greatness, greatness of heart, heroicalness, high-mindedness, idealism, intrepidity, intrepidness, knight-errantry, knightliness, largeheartedness, liberality, liberalness, lionheartedness, loftiness, magnanimity, magnanimousness, majesty, manfulness, manhood, manliness, martial spirit, military spirit, nobility, noble-mindedness, nobleness, notability, openhandedness, pot-valor, princeliness, prominence, prowess, renown, soldierly quality, spirit, stalwartness, stoutheartedness, stoutness, sublimity, valiance, valiancy, valor, valorousness, virtue