heroism : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: heroism	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for heroism
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
heroism n the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle); "he showed great heroism in battle"; "he received a medal for valor" Synonym(s): heroism, gallantry, valor, valour, valorousness, valiance, valiancy
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Heroism \Her"oism\ (?; 277), n. [F. h[82]ro[8b]sme.] The qualities characteristic of a hero, as courage, bravery, fortitude, unselfishness, etc.; the display of such qualities. Heroism* is the self-devotion of genius manifesting itself in action. --Hare. Syn: {Heroism}, {Courage}, {Fortitude}, {Bravery}, {Valor}, {Intrepidity}, {Gallantry}. Usage: Courage is generic, denoting fearlessness or defiance of danger; fortitude is passive courage, the habit of bearing up nobly under trials, danger, and sufferings; bravery is courage displayed in daring acts; valor is courage in battle or other conflicts with living opponents; intrepidity is firm courage, which shrinks not amid the most appalling dangers; gallantry is adventurous courage, dashing into the thickest of the fight. Heroism may call into exercise all these modifications of courage. It is a contempt of danger, not from ignorance or inconsiderate levity, but from a noble devotion to some great cause, and a just confidence of being able to meet danger in the spirit of such a cause. Cf. {Courage}.