Herald Meaning and Definition
Herald
Pronunciation
/ˈhɜːrəld/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A herald is a person or thing that announces, proclaims, or signals the coming of someone or something; a messenger or announcer.
Etymology
The word “Herald” comes from the Old English word “heriold”, which means “messenger” or “courier”.
Usage Notes
The word “Herald” is often used metaphorically to describe an event or situation that serves as a warning or precursor to something more significant.
Cultural References
In heraldry, a herald is a person who bears the coat of arms of a noble or armigerous family, or who is responsible for displaying and defending the family’s honor and reputation.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Herald in” means to call or summon someone to come, often in an official or formal capacity.
Related Words or Phrases
- Messenger
Collocations
- Herald of doom
- Herald of change
Frequency of Use
The word “Herald” is not as commonly used as some other words, but it still appears in various contexts such as literature, poetry, and heraldry.
Common Misspellings
- Herold
- Herild