Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An ancient fertility goddess who later became associated with Persephone as queen of Hades and protector of witches.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In Greek myth, a goddess akin to Artemis, of Thracian origin, combining the attributions of Demeter or Ceres, Rhea, Cybele, Artemis or Diana, and Persephone or Proserpine, with whom, as a goddess of the infernal regions, she was to some extent identified, and in this character was represented as practising and teaching through her emissaries sorcery and witchcraft.
  • noun The moon personified.
  • noun [NL.] In zoology, a genus of Vermes.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • proper noun Greek mythology The goddess of the night and crossroads, usually associated with witchcraft and sorcery, as well as ghosts and childbirth. Said to reside in Hades.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun (Greek mythology) Greek goddess of fertility who later became associated with Persephone as goddess of the underworld and protector of witches

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Ancient Greek Ἑκάτη (Hekatē).

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Examples

  • 'Hecate' -- a wonderfully beautiful thing, but that was also condemned, and sent into banishment.

    May Brooke Anna Hanson Dorsey 1855

  • Terri araising the Ancient One known as Hecate, or alternatively as Terri, in Joburg

    Praising the Nettles of This World Anne Johnson 2008

  • In Western mythology, the Moon is called Hecate, the daughter of Perses.

    Hey, Look at That Moon It's Shining so Pretty.... The Daily Growler 2006

  • "That Buffy swore an oath to Hecate which is unbreakable and just about now Papa's calling a wedding consultant, " Xander said, -and don't tell me not to make jokes because it's what I do.

    Child Of The Hunt Golden, Christopher 1998

  • The arrival of the "Hecate" relieved the "Vestal," which was ordered to proceed at once to sea.

    The Grateful Indian And other Stories William Henry Giles Kingston 1847

  • The arrival of the "Hecate" relieved the "Vestal," which was ordered to proceed at once to sea.

    The Story of Nelson also "The Grateful Indian", "The Boatswain's Son" William Henry Giles Kingston 1847

  • '' 'Hecate' '' is the [[Greek mythology | Greek]] goddess of the crossroads and is most commonly depicted with three heads

    Conservapedia - Recent changes [en] 2009

  • '' 'Hecate' '' is the [[Greek mythology | Greek]] goddess of the crossroads and is most commonly depicted with three heads

    Conservapedia - Recent changes [en] 2009

  • Who: One of the most ancient of goddesses, Hecate survived Zeus's banishment of the rest of her tribe from Olympus and was granted part dominion over the earth, sea, and heavens.

    Connections 2010

  • Where: Edmund Wilson's enchanted suburb, Hecate County, is ruled over by housewives who get up to mischief during by day, but welcome their husbands home in the evening, highball in hand.

    Connections 2010

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