herald

Etymology

From Middle English herald, herauld, heraud, from Anglo-Norman heraud, from Old French heraut, hiraut (modern French héraut), from Frankish *heriwald, from Proto-Germanic *harjawaldaz, a compound consisting of Proto-Indo-European *ker- (“army”) + *h₂welh₁- (“to be strong”). Compare Walter, which has these elements reversed.

Pronunciation

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Noun

herald (plural heralds)

1. A messenger, especially one bringing important news.

   The herald blew his trumpet and shouted that the King was dead.

2. A harbinger, giving signs of things to come.

   Daffodils are heralds of Spring.

3. (heraldry) An official whose speciality is heraldry, especially one between the ranks of pursuivant and king-of-arms.

   Rouge Dragon is a herald at the College of Arms.

4. (entomology) A moth of the species Scoliopteryx libatrix.

Verb

herald (third-person singular simple present heralds, present participle heralding, simple past and past participle heralded)

1. (transitive) To proclaim or announce an event.

   Daffodils herald the Spring.

2. (transitive, usually passive) To greet something with excitement; to hail.

   The film was heralded by critics.

Anagrams

• -hedral, Erdahl, Hadler, hardel, hareld, harled