from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Heroic \He*ro"ic\, a. [F. h['e]ro["i]que, L. hero["i]cus, Gr.
"hrwi:ko`s.]
1. Of or pertaining to, or like, a hero; of the nature of
heroes; distinguished by the existence of heroes; as, the
heroic age; an heroic people; heroic valor.
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2. Worthy of a hero; bold; daring; brave; illustrious; as,
heroic action; heroic enterprises.
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3. (Sculpture & Painting) Larger than life size, but smaller
than colossal; -- said of the representation of a human
figure.
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{Heroic Age}, the age when the heroes, or those called the
children of the gods, are supposed to have lived.
{Heroic poetry}, that which celebrates the deeds of a hero;
epic poetry.
{Heroic treatment} or {Heroic remedies} (Med.), treatment or
remedies of a severe character, suited to a desperate
case.
{Heroic verse} (Pros.), the verse of heroic or epic poetry,
being in English, German, and Italian the iambic of ten
syllables; in French the iambic of twelve syllables; and
in classic poetry the hexameter.
Syn: Brave; intrepid; courageous; daring; valiant; bold;
gallant; fearless; enterprising; noble; magnanimous;
illustrious.
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