hero

noun

1. Somebody who possesses great bravery and carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.

   “My mom died a hero on duty.”

   “"I'm no hero," insists freckle-faced 14-year-old Freddie Hanberry. But to many of the young cancer patients, nurses and staff at University Medical Center here, he is as close as you can get. The "hero" talk began when a national magazine featured Hanberry, who has leukemia, in a special section called "100 New American Heroes."”

   “Every cancer victim is a true hero.”

   “She is my hero, my heart, my baby till the end of time,” said Gabby's father”

   “Each flag represents a hero, Andrews said, whether a first responder or victim of 9/11, active, fallen, or retired military, special friend or family member.”

2. A role model.
3. The protagonist in a work of fiction.

   “However, even this great hero of the story is somewhat of a simpleton (when he lets himself be crucially deceived by Peacock Ravana in Vibhisana's shape), and a weakling (when in spite of all his strength he is almost beaten by his own son, one of the rākṣasas)”

   “Satan is wrongly called the hero of Paradise Lost. He is really the villain-hero or the counter-hero”

4. The current player, especially a hypothetical player for example and didactic purposes. Compare: villain (“any opponent player”). Not to be confused with hero call (“a weak call against a supposed bluff”).

   “Let's discuss how to play if the hero has KK, and there's an ace on board.”

5. (New-York)A large sandwich made from meats and cheeses.
6. (attributive)The product chosen from several candidates to be photographed, as in food advertising, or with props used in a movie.

   “The preparation of the hero food involves any number of specialized techniques food stylists have developed to deal with the demands of photographing food.”

   “Protect the hero food. Whether the hero items are on a table in the studio or in the refrigerator, freezer, etc., be sure they are identified as hero items and not for consumption.”

   “The food stylists this day had spent inordinate amounts of time preparing the hero product for a close-up scene.”

7. The eye-catching top portion of a web page, sometimes including a hero image; the portion above the fold.
8. The standout component of a dish; the part of a dish that should take center stage on the palate.

verb

1. (informal, intransitive)To act as a hero (brave person; role model; or protagonist).

   ““I don’t think so.” He grinned hugely, revealing smoker’s teeth and halitosis that would fell a rhino. “I don’t think you want to be heroing off just yet. I don’t think you've had a good time in ages.””

2. (transitive)To praise or laud.
3. (transitive)To bring attention to; to highlight; to spotlight.

name

1. (Greek)Any of a number of legendary men and women, including the priestess loved by Leander.
2. (rare)A female given name from Ancient Greek of English-speakers.

   “You hear, Count Claudio: I can be secret as a dumb man; I would have you think so; but on my allegiance mark you this, on my allegiance: he is in love. With who? now that is your Grace's part. Mark how short his answer is: with Hero, Leonato's short daughter.”