All 13 Uses of

herald
in
The Odyssey, by Homer (translated by: Butcher & Lang)

So when the star came up, that is brightest of all, and goes ever heralding the light of early Dawn, even then did the seafaring ship draw nigh the island.†
Book 13 *

And straightway he bade the clear-voiced heralds to call the long-haired Achaeans to the assembly.†
Book 2

And the heralds called the gathering, and the Achaeans were assembled quickly.†
Book 2

So spake he, and the dear son of Odysseus was glad at the omen of the word; nor sat he now much longer, but he burned to speak, and he stood in mid assembly; and the herald Peisenor, skilled in sage counsels, placed the staff in his hands.†
Book 2

Therewith he spake to Hermes, his dear son: 'Hermes, forasmuch as even in all else thou art our herald, tell unto the nymph of the braided tresses my unerring counsel, even the return of the patient Odysseus, how he is to come to his home, with no furtherance of gods or of mortal men.†
Book 5

So when they had come thither, and sat them down on the polished stones close by each other, Pallas Athene went on her way through the town, in the semblance of the herald of wise Alcinous, devising a return for the great-hearted Odysseus.†
Book 8

Now when we had tasted meat and drink I sent forth certain of my company to go and make search what manner of men they were who here live upon the earth by bread, and I chose out two of my fellows, and sent a third with them as herald.†
Book 9

Now when we had tasted bread and wine, I took with me a herald and one of my company, and went to the famous dwelling of Aeolus: and I found him feasting with his wife and children.†
Book 10

Then I sent forth certain of my company to go and search out what manner of men they were who here live upon the earth by bread, choosing out two of my company and sending a third with them as herald.†
Book 10

Anon they sent forward a herald to the house of Odysseus to bear the tidings to prudent Penelope, namely, how Telemachus was in the field, and had bidden the ship sail to the city, lest the noble queen should be afraid, and let the round tears fall.†
Book 16

So these two met, the herald and the goodly swineherd, come on the same errand to tell all to the lady.†
Book 16

Now when they were got to the house of the divine king, the herald spake out among all the handmaids saying: 'Verily, O queen, thy son hath come out of Pylos.'†
Book 16

Wherefore I take no heed of strangers, nor suppliants, nor at all of heralds, the craftsmen of the people.†
Book 19 *

Definitions:

(1) (herald as in: heralds the coming of...)
a sign that something will happen -- especially something important and good

or:

to announce or welcome -- especially with enthusiasm
(2) (herald as in: announced by herald & trumpet)
a person who announces important news -- especially a king's representative
(3) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
meaning too rare to warrant focus:

More rarely, herald can also refer to an official whose specialty is heraldry (the study of coats of arms -- symbols once used to signify the right to bear arms).

Historically a herald was a person who made announcements at jousting matches, or (much more rarely) any prestigious assistant in a dignified setting such as a courthouse or royal palace.