From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: Hero \He"ro\ (h[=e]"r[-o]), n.; pl. Heroes (h[=e]"r[=o]z). [F. h['e]ros, L. heros, Gr. "h`rws.] 1. (Myth.) An illustrious man, supposed to be exalted, after death, to a place among the gods; a demigod, as Hercules. [1913 Webster] 2. A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person. [1913 Webster] Each man is a hero and oracle to somebody. --Emerson. [1913 Webster] 3. The principal personage in a poem, story, and the like, or the person who has the principal share in the transactions related; as Achilles in the Iliad, Ulysses in the Odyssey, and Aeneas in the Aeneid. [1913 Webster] The shining quality of an epic hero. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] Hero worship, extravagant admiration for great men, likened to the ancient worship of heroes. [1913 Webster] 1 Hero worship exists, has existed, and will forever exist, universally among mankind. --Carlyle. [1913 Webster]