n.
Pronunciation: ' her- ə ld, ' he-r ə ld
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French heraud, herald, from Frankish *heriwald-, literally, leader of an armed force, from *heri- army + *wald- rule; akin to Old High German heri- army, waltan to rule ― more at HARRY , WIELD
1 a : an official at a tournament of arms with duties including the making of announcements and the marshaling of combatants b : an officer with the status of ambassador acting as official messenger between leaders especially in war c (1) : OFFICER OF ARMS (2) : an officer of arms ranking above a pursuivant and below a king of arms
2 : an official crier or messenger
3 a : one that precedes or foreshadows b : one that conveys news or proclaims : ANNOUNCER <it was the lark, the herald of the morn ― Shakespeare> c : one who actively promotes or advocates : EXPONENT
synonyms see FORERUNNER