hilding: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Archaic / Very LowArchaic, Literary, Pejorative
Quick answer
What does “hilding” mean?
A contemptible, cowardly, or worthless person.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A contemptible, cowardly, or worthless person; a wretch.
Can refer to a base, cowardly, or degenerate person, particularly a man; historically, sometimes used for a disreputable or irresponsible woman.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No modern regional difference in usage; both consider it equally archaic.
Connotations
Identical archaic, literary insult in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern English of any variety. Might be marginally more likely encountered in British historical novels.
Grammar
How to Use “hilding” in a Sentence
[Subject/Article] + be + a + hildingYou + cowardly/verminous/etc. + hilding!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hilding” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- "Begone, you cowardly hilding!" the squire roared, brandishing his cane.
- The play portrayed the king's brother as a treacherous hilding.
American English
- The frontier preacher denounced the town drunkard as a worthless hilding.
- In the historical novel, the villain was every bit the hilding the hero claimed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical/literary analysis.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hilding”
- Using it in modern conversation; mispronouncing it to rhyme with 'building'; confusing it with the modern word 'holding'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered completely archaic and obsolete. Its use would be intentionally stylistic, evoking historical or literary language.
Historically, yes, though it was less common. Early uses sometimes applied it to a disreputable or sluttish woman, but its primary reference is to a contemptible man.
Its origin is uncertain. It may derive from the verb 'hield' (an old word meaning to bend or incline), suggesting one who bows or yields cravenly.
Primarily for reading comprehension of older English literature. It is not a word for active use, but recognizing it helps understand historical texts and insults.
A contemptible, cowardly, or worthless person.
Hilding is usually archaic, literary, pejorative in register.
Hilding: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪldɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪldɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Hilding of a man" (archaic construction)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HIDING (beating) given to a cowardly, worthless person—a 'hilding' deserves a hiding.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESS PERSON IS A CONTEMPTIBLE OBJECT.
Practice
Quiz
The archaic noun 'hilding' is best described as: