Main Entry:: ¹her·ald
Pronunciation:: \ˈher-əld, ˈhe-rəld\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, from Anglo-French heraud, herald, from Frankish *heriwald-, literally, leader of an armed force, from *heri- army + *wald- rule; akin to Old High German heri- army, waltan to rule — more at harry, wield

1 a: an official at a tournament of arms with duties including the making of announcements and the marshaling of combatants b: an officer with the status of ambassador acting as official messenger between leaders especially in war c (1): officer of arms (2): an officer of arms ranking above a pursuivant and below a king of arms2: an official crier or messenger3 a: one that precedes or foreshadows b: one that conveys news or proclaims : announcer c: one who actively promotes or advocates : exponent

synonyms see forerunner

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