| Learning / English Dictionary |
HEROISM
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
Example:
he received a medal for valor
Synonyms:
gallantry; heroism; valiance; valiancy; valor; valorousness; valour
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("heroism" is a kind of...):
braveness; bravery; courage; courageousness (a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear)
Context examples:
It was all the service she could now render her poor friend; for as to any of that heroism of sentiment which might have prompted her to entreat him to transfer his affection from herself to Harriet, as infinitely the most worthy of the two—or even the more simple sublimity of resolving to refuse him at once and for ever, without vouchsafing any motive, because he could not marry them both, Emma had it not.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
The glory of heroism, of usefulness, of exertion, of endurance, made his own habits of selfish indulgence appear in shameful contrast; and he wished he had been a William Price, distinguishing himself and working his way to fortune and consequence with so much self-respect and happy ardour, instead of what he was!
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
As he cannot be influenced by those feelings which you rank highly as temptation and reward to the soldier and sailor in their choice of a profession, as heroism, and noise, and fashion, are all against him, he ought to be less liable to the suspicion of wanting sincerity or good intentions in the choice of his.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
She had all the heroism of principle, and was determined to do her duty; but having also many of the feelings of youth and nature, let her not be much wondered at, if, after making all these good resolutions on the side of self-government, she seized the scrap of paper on which Edmund had begun writing to her, as a treasure beyond all her hopes, and reading with the tenderest emotion these words, My very dear Fanny, you must do me the favour to accept locked it up with the chain, as the dearest part of the gift.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
