He*ro"ic (?), a. [F. h'eroique, L. heroicus, Gr. .]

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.

2.

Worthy of a hero; bold; daring; brave; illustrious; as, heroic action; heroic enterprises.

3. Sculpture & Painting

Larger than life size, but smaller than colossal; -- said of the representation of a human figure.

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 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.

 

© Webster 1913.

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