heroic

[hi-roh-ik] /hɪˈroʊ ɪk/
adjective
1.
Also, heroical. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a hero or heroine.
2.
suitable to the character of a hero in size or concept; daring; noble:
a heroic ambition.
3.
having or displaying the character or attributes of a hero; extraordinarily bold, altruistic, determined, etc.:
a heroic explorer.
4.
having or involving recourse to boldness, daring, or extreme measures:
Heroic measures were taken to save his life.
5.
dealing with or describing the deeds, attributes, etc., of heroes, as in literature.
6.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the heroes of antiquity:
heroic mythology.
7.
used in heroic poetry.
Compare heroic verse.
8.
resembling heroic poetry in language or style; grandiloquent.
9.
(of style or language) lofty; extravagant; grand.
10.
larger than life-size:
a statue of heroic proportions.
noun
11.
Usually, heroics. heroic verse.
12.
heroics.
  1. flamboyant or extravagant language, sentiment, or behavior, intended to seem heroic.
  2. heroic action or behavior.
Origin
1540-50; < Latin hērōicus < Greek hērōïkós of, pertaining to a hero; compare late Middle English heroical, heroicus; see hero, -ic
Related forms
heroically, adverb
heroicalness, heroicness, heroicity
[heer-oh-is-i-tee] /ˌhɪər oʊˈɪs ɪ ti/ (Show IPA), noun
nonheroic, adjective
nonheroical, adjective
nonheroically, adverb
nonheroicalness, noun
nonheroicness, noun
pseudoheroic, adjective
pseudoheroical, adjective
pseudoheroically, adverb
quasi-heroic, adjective
quasi-heroically, adverb
superheroic, adjective
superheroically, adverb
unheroic, adjective
unheroicness, noun
unheroical, adjective
unheroically, adverb
unheroicalness, noun
Synonyms
1, 2. dauntless, valiant, valorous, gallant, brave, courageous. 7. epic.
Antonyms
1–2. cowardly.
British Dictionary definitions for heroics

heroics

/hɪˈrəʊɪks/
plural noun
1.
(prosody) short for heroic verse
2.
extravagant or melodramatic language, behaviour, etc

heroic

/hɪˈrəʊɪk/
adjective
1.
of, like, or befitting a hero
2.
courageous but desperate
3.
relating to or treating of heroes and their deeds
4.
of, relating to, or resembling the heroes of classical mythology
5.
(of language, manner, etc) extravagant
6.
(prosody) of, relating to, or resembling heroic verse
7.
(of the arts, esp sculpture) larger than life-size; smaller than colossal
8.
(RC Church)
  1. held to such a degree as to enable a person to perform virtuous actions with exceptional promptness, ease and pleasure, and with self-abnegation and self-control: heroic virtue
  2. performed or undergone by such a person: the heroic witness of martyrdom
See also heroics
Derived Forms
heroically, adverb
heroicalness, heroicness, noun
Word Origin and History for heroics
n.

1590s, "heroic verse" (see heroic). Meaning "deeds worthy of a hero" attested by 1831.

heroic

adj.

1540s, shortened from heroical (early 15c.), also heroycus "noble, magnanimous," from Latin heroicus "of a hero, heroic, mythical," from Greek heroikos "pertaining to heroes," from heros (see hero (n.1)). Earlier was heroical (early 15c.). The Heroic Age in Greece was the time before the return of the armies from the fall of Troy. Related: Heroically. Heroic verse (1610s), decasyllabic iambic, is from Italian.

heroics in Medicine

heroic he·ro·ic (hĭ-rō'ĭk)
adj.
Relating to a risky medical procedure that may endanger the patient but also has a possibility of being successful, whereas lesser action would result in failure.