1689. Lestrange, Tr. Erasmus, p. 139. And a Ruffling Hector that lives upon the Highway.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Hector, a Vaporing, Swaggering Coward.
1719. Durfey, Pills, etc., ii., 24. I hate, she cry’d, a hector, a Drone without a Sting.
1725. New Cant. Dict.
1750. Ozell, Rabelais, iv., Pref. xxiii. These roaring hectors.
1757. Pope, Imit. Hor., ii., 1, 71. I only wear it in a land of Hectors, thieves … and Directors.
1778. Bailey, Eng. Dict., s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1826. Congress Deb., ii., 1., p. 1024. He hoped it would invite … a reply from the Southern Hector … of this debate.
Verb (common).—To play the bully; to bluster. Also to play the Hector.