[her.ald] n [ME, fr. MF hiraut, fr. an (assumed) Gmc compound whose first component is akin to OHG heri army, and whose second is akin to OHG waltan to rule--more at harry, wield] (14c) 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 esp. 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 ~ of the morn --Shak." c: one who actively promotes or advocates: exponent syn see forerunner
[2]herald vt (14c) 1: to give notice of: announce
2. a: to greet esp. with enthusiasm: hail b: publicize
3: to signal the approach of: foreshadow