[hur-kyuh-leez] 
[-kyuh-lis] for 2. | 1. | Also, Heracles. Also called Alcides. Classical Mythology. a celebrated hero, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, possessing exceptional strength: among his many adventures were the twelve labors for his cousin Eurystheus, performed in order to gain immortality. Compare labors of Hercules. |
| 2. | Astronomy. a northern constellation, between Lyra and Corona Borealis. |
| Her·cu·les (hûr'kyə-lēz') n.
[Latin, from Greek Hēraklēs : Hērā, Hera + kleos, fame; see kleu- in Indo-European roots.] |
One of the greatest heroes of classical mythology, he is supposed to have been the strongest man on earth. He was renowned for completing twelve seemingly impossible tasks — the Labors of Hercules. One of these labors was the cleaning of the Augean stables; another was the killing of the nine-headed Hydra. Hercules was a son of Zeus.
kyəˌliz
