hebe

[hee-bee]

noun

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.

Origin of hebe

< New Latin (1789), apparently after Hebe

Hebe

[heeb]

noun Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.

a contemptuous term used to refer to a Jew.

Origin of Hebe

First recorded in 1930–35; shortening of Hebrew

Hebe

[hee-bee]

noun

Classical Mythology. a goddess of youth and spring, the daughter of Zeus and Hera, and wife of Hercules.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hebe

Historical Examples of hebe

You are right, dearest Hebe, do you go to bed, and I will read to you.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete
Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
They were all the sweethearts of the prince, who preferred Ganymede to Hebe.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete
Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
Another captain was quickly engaged, and the Hebe sailed on her voyage.
The Shellback's Progress
Walter 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 Ovid
Publius Ovidius Naso

British Dictionary definitions for hebe

Hebe

noun

Greek myth the goddess of youth and spring, daughter of Zeus and Hera and wife of Hercules

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

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."

Hebe

derogatory word for "a Jew," 1932, shortened from Hebrew