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Herculean

- 4 dictionary results

her⋅cu⋅le⋅an

  [hur-kyuh-lee-uhn, hur-kyoo-lee-uhn]
Use Herculean in a Sentence
–adjective
1. requiring the great strength of a Hercules; very hard to perform: Digging the tunnel was a herculean task.
2. having enormous strength, courage, or size.
3. (initial capital letter) of or pertaining to Hercules or his labors.
Origin:
1590–1600; < L Hercule(us) of, belonging to Hercules + -an

Synonyms:
1. prodigious, arduous, onerous, formidable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Her·cu·le·an   (hûr'kyə-lē'ən, hûr-kyōō'lē-)   
adj.  
  1. often herculean Of unusual size, power, or difficulty.
  2. Greek & Roman Mythology
    1. Of or relating to Hercules.
    2. Resembling Hercules.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Herculean

Her*cu"le*an\, a. [L. herculeus, fr. Hercules: cf. F. hercul['e]en. See Hercules.]

1. Requiring the strength of Hercules; hence, very great, difficult, or dangerous; as, an Herculean task.

2. Having extraordinary strength or size; as, Herculean limbs. "Herculean Samson." --Milton.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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herculean 
1593, from Hercules (c.1369, as Ercules), from L. Hercles, from Gk. Herakles name of a famous hero, son of Zeus and Alcmene; lit. "Glory (kleos) of Hera," from Hera + -kles (see Damocles).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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