heroine

her·o·ine

noun \ˈher-ə-wən, ˈhir-, ˈhe-rə-\

: a woman who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities

: the chief female character in a story, play, movie, etc.

Full Definition of HEROINE

1

a :  a mythological or legendary woman having the qualities of a hero

b :  a woman admired and emulated for her achievements and qualities

2

a :  the principal female character in a literary or dramatic work

b :  the central female figure in an event or period

Examples of HEROINE

1. The town remembered her as the heroine of the flood and erected a statue in her honor.

Origin of HEROINE

Latin heroina, from Greek hērōinē, feminine of hērōs

First Known Use: 1609

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix