hebe
[hee-bee]
- any of various shrubs and trees belonging to the genus Hebe, of the figwort family, native mostly to New Zealand, having evergreen leaves and clusters or spikes of white, pink, or purple flowers.
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Origin of hebe
< New Latin (1789), apparently after Hebe
Hebe1
[heeb]
- a contemptuous term used to refer to a Jew.
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Origin of Hebe1
First recorded in 1930–35; shortening of Hebrew
Hebe2
[hee-bee]
- Classical Mythology. a goddess of youth and spring, the daughter of Zeus and Hera, and wife of Hercules.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for hebe
Historical Examples
You are right, dearest Hebe, do you go to bed, and I will read to you.
The Memoires of Casanova, CompleteJacques Casanova de Seingalt
They were all the sweethearts of the prince, who preferred Ganymede to Hebe.
The Memoires of Casanova, CompleteJacques Casanova de Seingalt
Another captain was quickly engaged, and the Hebe sailed on her voyage.
The Shellback's ProgressWalter Runciman
Don't throw off on Hebe when Shebe, maybe, only fooling thee.
Marion's Faith.Charles King
In the meantime Iolas comes, whose youth has been restored by Hebe.
The Metamorphoses of OvidPublius Ovidius Naso
Hebe
- Greek myth the goddess of youth and spring, daughter of Zeus and Hera and wife of Hercules
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for hebe
Hebe
1
c.1600, Greek goddess of youth, daughter of Zeus and Hera, wife of Hercules, from Greek hebe "youth, youthful prime, strength of youth" (legally, "the time before manhood," in Athens 16, in Sparta 18), from PIE *yeg-wa- "power, youth, strength."
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Hebe
2
derogatory word for "a Jew," 1932, shortened from Hebrew
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper