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Word of the Day — Tuesday, March 10, 2026

hector

noun/ˈhek-tər/

Definitions

nouna son of Priam, husband of Andromache, and Trojan champion slain by Achilles

nounbully, braggart

verbto behave in an arrogant or intimidating way to act like a bully swagger

verbto intimidate or harass by bluster or personal pressure

football players being hectored by their coach

biographical name(Louis) Hector 1803–1869 French composer

biographical nameComte Jean-Baptiste-Charles-Henri-Hector 1729–1794 French admiral

biographical nameHector Hugh 1870–1916 pseudonym Saki Scottish writer

biographical nameClaude-Louis-Hector 1653–1734 Duc de Villars French soldier; marshal of France

Examples

  • football players being hectored by their coach

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Hektōr