hector

hector · noun, verb¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*seǵʰ-“to hold; to overpower”
2. Ancient Greek · derived fromἝκτωρ
3. Latin · derived fromHectōr
4. Middle English · inherited fromHector“warrior with the qualities of Hector”
5. English todayhector

From Hector (“in Greek and Roman mythology, a character in Homer’s Iliad who is the greatest warrior of Troy”), from Late Middle English Hector (“warrior with the qualities of Hector”), from Latin Hectōr or Ancient Greek Ἕκτωρ (Héktōr), from ἕκτωρ (héktōr, “holding fast”), from ἔχειν (ékhein), present active infinitive of ἔχω (ékhō, “to have, own, possess; to hold”), from Proto-Indo-European *seǵʰ- (“to hold; to overpower”). The verb is derived from the noun.

Hector · proper noun²

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*seǵʰ-“to hold; to overpower”
2. Ancient Greek · derived fromἝκτωρ
3. Latin · derived fromHectōr
4. English todayHector

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”). Sometimes used as an anglicization of various Scottish Gaelic names, including Eachann and Eochaid. The thundercloud cluster was named by pilots during the Second World War.

Words from the same roots