Main Entry: ¹her·ald

Pronunciation: \ˈher-əld, ˈhe-rəld\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French heraud, herald, from Frankish *heriwald-, literally, leader of an armed force, from *heri- army + *wald- rule; akin to Old High German heri- army, waltan to rule — more at harry, wield

1 a : an official at a tournament of arms with duties including the making of announcements and the marshaling of combatants b : an officer with the status of ambassador acting as official messenger between leaders especially in war c (1) : officer of arms (2) : an officer of arms ranking above a pursuivant and below a king of arms
2 : an official crier or messenger
3 a : one that precedes or foreshadows b : one that conveys news or proclaims : announcer c : one who actively promotes or advocates : exponent

synonyms see forerunner