Meanings
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1
verb
To be a sign that something is coming or about to happen.
The warm breeze heralded the arrival of spring.
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2
verb
To greet or praise something with great enthusiasm.
The film was heralded by critics as a masterpiece.
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3
noun
A sign that something is about to come.
Daffodils are heralds of spring.
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4
noun
A person who carries or announces important news, especially in the past.
The herald blew his trumpet and announced that the king had died.
Thesaurus
Common collocations
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.