Hector
- 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.
- (lowercase) to treat with insolence; bully; torment: The teacher hectored his students incessantly.
- (lowercase) to act in a blustering, domineering way; be a bully.
Origin of Hector
Synonyms
See more synonyms for Hector on Thesaurus.comExamples from the Web for hectoring
Contemporary Examples
They thanked him profusely for his public service, apologized for Republican hectoring, and complained about decorum.
You can't imagine those words being spoken by the hectoring Belfort.
Democrats' didn't get the allegiance of women by hectoring them, by saying take off that apron, GOP housewives, and join us.
Do Not Ask What Good We Do accomplishes in 300 pages what 300 hours of hectoring cable news hosts cannot.
West gained a lot of female fans last July when he sent Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) a hectoring email.
Historical Examples
Scorn of that lie—as he conceived it—rang in the heavy, hectoring voice.
Captain BloodRafael Sabatini
Nancy was hectoring it over him and pulling him about to make him presentable.
The ManxmanHall Caine
Even in such an hour as this the habit of hectoring cruelty remained him.
The Shame of MotleyRaphael Sabatini
He laughed as Swope struck out at him, and continued his hectoring banter.
Hidden WaterDane Coolidge
Odi profanum vulgus, I hate your swearing and hectoring fellows.
The Biglow PapersJames Russell Lowell
hector
- to bully or torment
- a blustering bully
Word Origin
Hector
- classical myth a son of King Priam of Troy, who was killed by Achilles
Word Origin and History for hectoring
hector
v.
1650s, from Hector (n.), in reference to his encouragement of his fellow Trojans to keep up the fight. Related: Hectored; hectoring.
hector
n.
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.
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.