Word of the Day

: July 12, 2007

herald

verb HAIR-uld

What It Means

1 : to give notice of : announce

2 a : to greet especially with enthusiasm : hail

b : publicize

3 : to signal the approach of : foreshadow

herald in Context

The first robin heralded the arrival of spring.

Did You Know?

The exact origin of "herald" is uncertain, but it is thought to derive from Germanic roots. Specifically, etymologists believe that "herald" developed from an assumed Frankish compound whose first component is akin to the Old High German "heri-," meaning "army," and whose second component is akin to the Old High German word "waltan," meaning "to rule." When "herald" first appeared on the scene in the 14th century, it referred to an official at a tournament of arms whose duties included the making of announcements. The verb forms, extending the "announcement" idea, soon followed.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.