hector
UK[ˈhɛktə]US[ˈhɛktər]
v
To talk to someone in a bullying or intimidating way.
n
A person who behaves in a bullying way.
Etymology
The word 'hector' derives from Hector, the name of the greatest Trojan hero in Homer's Iliad, renowned for his bravery and nobility. In late 17th-century England, a gang of rowdy young aristocrats in London adopted the name 'Hectors', likening their boisterous behavior to that of the Trojan warriors. Over time, the association of the name with this gang's bullying and swaggering conduct caused the meaning to shift entirely. Thus, the modern verb 'to hector' evolved from the name of a heroic figure to describe the act of blustering intimidation, a complete reversal of its original connotation.
Analysis
The word is a proper name adopted into common English usage. It originates from the Latin 'Hector', which is from the Greek 'Hektor'. The name is derived from the Greek verb 'ekhein', meaning 'to hold, to have'.
Examples
The manager would often hector his employees over minor mistakes.
He was tired of being hectored by the aggressive salesperson.
The playground hectors made life miserable for the younger children.