herald

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The Word of the Day for July 12 is:

herald   \HAIR-uld\   verb
     1 : to give notice of : announce
     2 a: to greet especially with enthusiasm : hail b : publicize
    *3 : to signal the approach of : foreshadow

Example sentence:
     The first robin heralded the arrival of spring.

Did you know? 
     The exact origin of "herald" is uncertain, but it is thought to derive 
from Germanic roots. Specifically, etymologists believe that "herald" developed 
from an assumed Frankish compound whose first component is akin to the Old High 
German "heri-," meaning "army," and whose second component is akin to the Old 
High German word "waltan," meaning "to rule." When "herald" first appeared on 
the scene in the 14th century, it referred to an official at a tournament of 
arms whose duties included the making of announcements. The verb forms, 
extending the "announcement" idea, soon followed.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.






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