hero

hero · noun, verb¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*ser-“to watch over, protect”
2. Ancient Greek · derived fromἥρως“demi-god, hero”
3. Latin · derived fromhērōs“hero”
4. Old French · derived fromheroes
5. Middle English · inherited fromheroes
6. English todayhero

From Middle English heroes, from Old French heroes, from Latin hērōs (“hero”), from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs, “demi-god, hero”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to watch over, protect”); if so, related to Latin servo (“protect”). Displaced Middle English heleð, haleð, from Old English hæleþ, hæle.

Hero · proper noun²

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromἩρώ
2. English todayHero

From Ancient Greek Ἡρώ (Hērṓ).

Words from the same roots