hero

Where does the word "hero" come from? It comes from Greek heros, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (medieval).

Hero’s story begins in Greek: heros meant “a legendary warrior or demigod.” A figure of superhuman strength or courage, often semi-divine. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as heros. In Greek, a demigod or warrior honoured after death with cult worship. From there it passed into Old French as heroe by medieval. Carried the legendary figure into French. It reached English by medieval as hero. Settled as the English word for a figure of great courage. Today, hero means a person admired for courage, achievements, or noble qualities.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient heros "a legendary warrior or demigod", a figure of superhuman strength or courage, often semi-divine.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient heros "a legendary figure of great deeds", in Greek, a demigod or warrior honoured after death with cult worship.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval heroe "a hero", carried the legendary figure into French.
4. Stage 4 · English · medieval hero "a person admired for courage or noble deeds", settled as the English word for a figure of great courage.