The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Hero \He"ro\ (h[=e]"r[-o]), n.; pl. Heroes (h[=e]"r[=o]z). [F.
   h['e]ros, L. heros, Gr. "h`rws.]
   1. (Myth.) An illustrious man, supposed to be exalted, after
      death, to a place among the gods; a demigod, as Hercules.
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   2. A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or
      fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage
      in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or
      illustrious person.
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            Each man is a hero and oracle to somebody.
                                                  --Emerson.
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   3. The principal personage in a poem, story, and the like, or
      the person who has the principal share in the transactions
      related; as Achilles in the Iliad, Ulysses in the Odyssey,
      and Aeneas in the Aeneid.
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            The shining quality of an epic hero.  --Dryden.
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   Hero worship, extravagant admiration for great men, likened
      to the ancient worship of heroes.
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            Hero worship exists, has existed, and will forever
            exist, universally among mankind.     --Carlyle.
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