Hector

[ hek-ter ]

/ ˈhɛk tər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR Hector ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Classical Mythology. the eldest son of Priam and husband of Andromache: the greatest Trojan hero in the Trojan War, killed by Achilles.

(lowercase) a blustering, domineering person; a bully.

a male given name.

verb (used with object)

(lowercase) to treat with insolence; bully; torment: The teacher hectored his students incessantly.

verb (used without object)

(lowercase) to act in a blustering, domineering way; be a bully.

Origin of Hector

< Latin < Greek Héktōr, special use of adj. héktōr holding fast

SYNONYMS FOR Hector

4 torture, persecute; badger, harass.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR Hector ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Examples from the Web for hector

Outside, they killed Hector McMillan, a Canadian missionary, before joining the ranks of the fleeing rebels.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The United States v. Hector Monsegur,” Judge Loretta Preska said.
How Sabu the Hacker Rat Manipulated a Good-Hearted Judge|Michael Daly|May 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On Tuesday, it was Hector Pagan, ex-husband of Mob Wives star Renee Graziano.
'Mob Wives’ Courtroom Drama Exposes Rat, But Protects Jury|Michael Daly|March 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Then maybe you should take up laundering yourself, Billy,” says Hector quietly.
Britain’s KGB Sugar Daddy|Michael Weiss|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

One celebrated English author has gone that far already: “Plus another thing, Hector!”
Britain’s KGB Sugar Daddy|Michael Weiss|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hastily harnessing the chariot, he led him back safely to Troy, where the body was laid upon a bed in Hector's palace.
Authors of Greece|T. W. Lumb
Hector inquired of the two men whom he had placed on guard there.
Won by the Sword|G.A. Henty
Nestor, in the chariot of Diomede, goes against Hector, whose charioteer is slain by Diomede.
The Iliad of Homer (1873)|Homer
The heroes of the day on the Trojan side were Hector and Æneas.
The Story of Troy|Michael Clarke
For there the chosen best awaited the charge of the Trojans and noble Hector, making a fence of spears and serried shields.
Hesiod, The Homeric Hymns, and Homerica|Homer and Hesiod

British Dictionary definitions for hector (1 of 2)

hector

/ (ˈhɛktə) /

verb

to bully or torment

noun

a blustering bully

Word Origin for hector

C17: after Hector (the son of Priam), in the sense: a bully

British Dictionary definitions for hector (2 of 2)

Hector

/ (ˈhɛktə) /

noun

classical myth a son of King Priam of Troy, who was killed by Achilles

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 hector (1 of 2)

hector

late 14c., "a valiant warrior," 1650s as slang for "a blustering, turbulent, pervicacious, noisy fellow" [Johnson], Heck for short, both in reference to the provocative character of Hektor, Trojan hero, oldest son of Priam and Hecuba, in the "Iliad." It represents Greek hektor, literally "holder, stayer;" an agent noun from ekhein "to have, hold, possess" (see scheme). The word was used mid-1600s in reference to London street gangs. As a proper name it is rare in England but used in Scotland to render Gaelic Eachdonn.

Word Origin and History for hector (1 of 2)

hector

1650s, from Hector (n.), in reference to his encouragement of his fellow Trojans to keep up the fight. Related: Hectored; hectoring.

Culture definitions for hector

Hector

In classical mythology, a prince of Troy and the bravest of the Trojan warriors. At the end of the Trojan War (see also Trojan War), Achilles killed Hector and then dragged his body behind a chariot around the walls of Troy.

Hector

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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Origin of Hector

Examples from the Web for hector

British Dictionary definitions for hector (1 of 2)

hector

verb

noun

Word Origin for hector

British Dictionary definitions for hector (2 of 2)

Hector

noun

Word Origin and History for hector (1 of 2)

hector

Word Origin and History for hector (1 of 2)

hector

Culture definitions for hector

Hector