hector means A Trojan hero in Homer's Iliad.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, hector ranks #2,708 of 14,322 for Scariest Words, #3,484 of 14,448 for Funniest Words, #7,100 of 14,440 for Most Satisfying to Say, #7,152 of 14,445 for Most Beautiful Words.
hector is pronounced /ˈhɛktə/.
Why “hector” is a great word
To intimidate or bully with loud, swaggering bluster. From Latin Hectōr or Ancient Greek Ἕκτωρ (Héktōr), from ἕκτωρ (héktōr, "holding fast"), from ἔχω (ékhō, "to have, hold"), from Proto-Indo-European *seǵʰ- ("to hold; to overpower"); the verb sense of 'to bully' is first attested in the 1650s. Unlike "browbeat," which implies sustained, crushing psychological pressure, or "badger," which suggests nagging, persistent pestering, to hector is a public performance of aggression. It is the red-faced official bellowing at a queue, the strutting braggart in a tavern corner, the petty tyrant whose authority exists only in the volume of his voice—the ancient hero's name become synonymous with empty, bullying noise.
Etymology
From Latin Hectōr or Ancient Greek Ἕκτωρ (Héktōr), from ἕκτωρ (héktōr, “holding fast”), from ἔχω (ékhō, “to have, hold”), from Proto-Indo-European *seǵʰ- (“to hold; to overpower”).
name
- A Trojan hero in Homer's Iliad.
- A male given name from Ancient Greek.
- A place name:; A town in the Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia.
- A place name:; A settlement in the West Coast region, New Zealand.
- A place name:; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Pope County, Arkansas.
- A place name:; A number of places in the United States:; A locality in Clay County, Kentucky.
- A place name:; A number of places in the United States:; A city in Renville County, Minnesota.
- A place name:; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Schuyler County, New York, named after Hector Ely.
- A place name:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Putnam County, Ohio, named after Hector Havemeyer.
- A place name:; A number of places in the United States:; A township in Potter County, Pennsylvania.
noun
- Sometimes in the form Hector: a blustering, noisy, turbulent fellow; a braggart, bully.e.g.“Luc[ia]. VVhat would you do you dowty Hectors? / Kick. Hectors! upon my honour, if we can find them out, we'll beat your Gallants for this. / […] Luc. Advant, you Hectors, we are not fit for you: […]”
verb
- To dominate or intimidate in a blustering way; to bully, to domineer.
- To behave like a hector or bully; to bluster, to swagger; to bully.
Words closest in meaning
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