What is the Latin word for heroism?

The usual Latin words for “heroism” are virtūs, summa. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“heroism” in Latin

virtūsmanhood, manliness, virility; courage, valor, resoluteness, gallantry; virtue, goodness summatop, summit, highest point or place; the principal or main thing; sum, summary, total

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

heroism

animus fortis et invictus: virtus (summa): animi magnitudo. An act of heroism, *res praeclare gesta: facinus magnum, etc. Vid: HEROIC.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for heroism?: The usual Latin words for “heroism” are virtūs, summa. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.