Word of the Day

: October 25, 2021

hector

verb HEK-ter

What It Means

Hector means "to criticize or question in a threatening manner."

// The mediator asked the unruly members of the audience to cease hectoring the speaker.

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hector in Context

"In budget meetings, ... Freeman hectored local publishers, demanding that they produce detailed numbers off the top of their head and then humiliating them when they couldn't. — McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2021

Did You Know?

In Homer's Iliad, Hector, the eldest son of King Priam of Troy, was a model soldier, son, father, and friend, the champion of the Trojan army until he was killed by the Greek hero Achilles. So how did his name become a verb meaning "to intimidate or harrass"? That use was likely influenced by gangs of rowdy street toughs who roamed London in the 17th century and called themselves "Hectors." They may have thought themselves gallant young blades, but to the general populace they were swaggering bullies who intimidated passersby and vandalized property.