I. hə̇ˈrōik, heˈ-, hēˈ-, -ōēk adjective
also he·ro·i·cal -ōə̇kəl, -ōēk-
Etymology: Latin heroicus, from Greek hērōikos, from hērōs hero + -ikos -ic, -ical
1.
a. : belonging to or representative or suggestive of the heroes of antiquity
a heroic culture
heroic society
the heroic age
b. : treating of or suitable to or used in the treatment of the heroes of antiquity
heroic legends
heroic material
2.
a.
(1) : arising from, exhibiting, or suggestive of boldness, spirit, or daring
a heroic cavalry charge
a heroic enterprise
(2) : such as is likely to be undertaken only to save life
heroic surgery
: extreme , radical
heroic treatment
b. : supremely noble, altruistic, or self-sacrificing
a heroic gesture
heroic deeds
3.
a. : of impressively generous proportion, size, or volume
a heroic voice
heroic contributions to charity
b. : larger than life but smaller than colossal
a heroic statue
c. : having a pronounced effect : large , powerful — used chiefly of medicaments or dosage
heroic doses
a heroic drug
4. : belonging to or inspired by the literary conventions of Restoration England especially as found in the works of John Dryden
heroic drama
II. noun
( -s )
1. : heroic verse , heroic poem
2. heroics plural : vainglorious, unnaturally extravagant, or shamelessly flamboyant conduct, behavior, or expression
avoids all heroics … in its delineation of a man of dignity — Newsweek