herald
verbEtymology From Latin heraldus, 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”). Doublet of Harold and Harald; compare Walter, which has these elements reversed.
1
Figuratively, Often To proclaim or announce an event.
- Daffodils herald the Spring.
- Then, some five miles north of Bolna, the entry into the Arctic is heralded by a long blast on the whistle of the engine. The Arctic Circle is marked by a sign on the east side of the line.1957 August 23, H. A. Vallance, “By Rail to the Norwegian Arctic”, in Railway Magazine, page 574:
1 more example
- Our arrival at Worcester is heralded by the appearance of the city's cathedral tower, a solid square structure that's dominated the skyline since the 12th century.2020 December 2, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 67:
2
Passive, Usually To greet something with excitement; to hail.
- The film was heralded by critics.
- Derived terms
- heralder, unheralded