héroïsme

Forms

héroïsme m (plural héroïsmes)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French héros + -isme,^[2][3][1] on the model of héroïque.^[4][5]

The base noun is from Latin hērōs, from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs).^[3][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1658, in the letters of Costar, with the sense “strength of soul that makes heroes”.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

The word stayed rare until the 18th century.^[4][5] From the courage of the hero it was extended before 1696, in La Bruyère, to the heroic character of a deed or a life.^[6][5] Voltaire used it in 1761 specifically for military valour in the face of danger, and Baudelaire ironically in 1857.^[6]

The didactic héroïcité (1716), from héroïque, is an equivalent.^[5]

Timeline

• 1658 – First recorded in Costar's letters.^[2][3]
• Before 1696 – La Bruyère uses it for the heroic character of something.^[6][5]
• 1716 – The equivalent héroïcité is formed.^[5]
• 1761 – Voltaire uses it for military courage.^[6]
• 1857 – Baudelaire uses it ironically.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. Exceptional courage or strength of soul, as shown by a hero, firmness in the face of danger or pain: un acte d'héroïsme.^[7][8][9]
2. The heroic character of something: l'héroïsme d'une existence.^[7][9][5]
3. (humorous) Great patience or self-sacrifice: supporter un tel voisin, c'est de l'héroïsme.^[7]

Related words

• héros
• héroïque
• héroïne
• héroïcité

Usage notes

Unlike héros, whose h blocks elision and liaison, the other words of the family do not: l'héroïsme, l'héroïne.^[3][1] Its opposite is lâcheté.^[7]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ a b c d Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
4. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
9. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)