herald

Etymology 1

From Middle English herald, herauld, heraud, from Anglo-Norman heraud, from Old French heraut, hiraut (modern French héraut), from Frankish *heriwald, from Proto-Germanic *harjawaldaz, a compound consisting of Proto-Indo-European *ker- (“army”) + *h₂welh₁- (“to be strong”). Compare Walter, which has these elements reversed.

noun

1. A messenger, especially one bringing important news.
   The herald blew his trumpet and shouted that the King was dead.
2. A harbinger, giving signs of things to come.
   Daffodils are heralds of Spring.
3. (heraldry) An official whose speciality is heraldry, especially one between the ranks of pursuivant and king-of-arms.
   Rouge Dragon is a herald at the College of Arms.
4. (entomology) A moth of the species Scoliopteryx libatrix.
5. (advertising) A handbill consisting of an advertisement.
   New this season will be a 20-sheet poster depicting 21 K-M elephants parading to local Chevrolet agencies. Deal calls for use of the 20-sheet on poster panels where the auto agency has space allotment. Smaller versions of the same art also will be used. Circulation of Kelly-Miller heralds, which last season averaged between 5,000 and 6,000 copies per stand, will be in for one of the greatest boosts this year. February 24 1951, Billboard, page 52

verb

1. (transitive) To proclaim or announce an event.
   Daffodils herald the Spring.
   Our arrival at Worcester is heralded by the appearance of the city's cathedral tower, a solid square structure that's dominated the skyline since the 12th century. December 2 2020, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 67
2. (transitive, usually passive) To greet something with excitement; to hail.
   The film was heralded by critics.

Etymology 2

noun

1. Alternative form of hareld (“long-tailed duck”)