alec

¹

[ al-ik ]

noun

, Obsolete.

1. a herring.
2. a sauce or relish made from small herring or anchovies.

alec

²

[ al-ik ]

noun

, Australian.

1. a simpleton or fool.

Alec

³

or Al·eck

[ al-ik ]

noun

1. a first name, form of Alexander.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alec¹

1510–20; < Latin ( h ) al ( l ) ec fish sauce

Origin of alec²

1920–25; smart aleck ( def ); sense shift perhaps originally from ironic usage

Example Sentences

Hutchins died three years ago when she was accidentally shot during the production of the Alec Baldwin-led western movie in New Mexico.

From Salon

Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death," she said. "

From Salon

Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, who is suing the production and Alec Baldwin in a civil action, didn’t attend either.

From BBC

“Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologise to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death,” she said.

From BBC

The movie’s star Alec Baldwin was not invited and did not attend the premiere.

From BBC