Hĕr'o-ism, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [Fr. héroïsme, Sp. heroismo, It. eroismo.] The qualities of a hero; bravery; courage; intrepidity.

Heroism is the self-devotion of genius manifesting itself in action. Hare.

Synonyms—HEROISM, COURAGE, FORTITUDE, BRAVERY, VALOR, INTREPIDITY, GALLANTRY. Courage is generic, denoting fearlessness of danger; fortitude is passive courage, the habit of bearing up nobly under trials, dangers, and sufferings; bravery and valor are 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.