herald

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a person who announces important news

   The president's arrival was announced by a herald with a trumpet.

2. 2
   noun

   A messenger, especially one bringing important news.

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

3. 3
   noun

   A harbinger, giving signs of things to come.

   Daffodils are heralds of Spring.

4. 4
   noun

   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.

5. 5
   noun

   A handbill consisting of an advertisement.

   New this season will be a 20-sheet poster depicting 21 K-M elephants parading to local Chevrolet agencies. Deal calls for use of the 20-sheet on poster panels where the auto agency has space allotment. Smaller versions of the same art also will be used. Circulation of Kelly-Miller heralds, which last season averaged between 5,000 and 6,000 copies per stand, will be in for one of the greatest boosts this year.

6. 6
   verb

   To proclaim or announce an event.

   Daffodils herald the Spring.

7. 7
   verb

   To greet something with excitement; to hail.

   The film was heralded by critics.

8. 8
   noun

   something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone

Etymology

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.