I. hi-ˈrō-ik also her-ˈō- or hē-ˈrō- adjective
also he·ro·ical -i-kəl
Date: 1549
1. : of, relating to, resembling, or suggesting heroes especially of antiquity
2.
a. : exhibiting or marked by courage and daring
b. : supremely noble or self-sacrificing
3.
a. : of impressive size, power, extent, or effect
heroic doses
a heroic voice
b.
(1) : of great intensity : extreme , drastic
heroic effort
(2) : of a kind that is likely only to be undertaken to save a life
heroic surgery
4. : of, relating to, or constituting drama written during the Restoration in heroic couplets and concerned with a conflict between love and honor
• he·ro·ical·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adverb
II. noun
Date: 1596
1. : a heroic verse or poem
2. plural
a. : flamboyantly heroic language or action
b. : heroic action or behavior
c. : determined effort especially in the face of difficulty