Augean

[ aw-jee-uhn ]

adjective
  1. resembling the Augean stables in filthiness or degradation.

  2. difficult and unpleasant: an Augean chore.

Origin of Augean

1
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin Augē(us) of Augeas (Greek Augeí(ās) + -us adjective suffix) + -an

Words Nearby Augean

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Augean in a sentence

  • She seemed prepared to clean Augean stables, and there was something judicial in her aspect too, but she did not look at Olive.

    Olive in Italy | Moray Dalton
  • It was the river Alpheus that Hercules turned through the Augean stables.

    Hints to Pilgrims | Charles Stephen Brooks
  • However the patriarch and his sons managed to cleanse this worse than Augean stable passes all understanding.

    Bible Romances | George W. Foote

British Dictionary definitions for Augean

Augean

/ (ɔːˈdʒiːən) /


adjective
  1. extremely dirty or corrupt

Origin of Augean

1
C16: after Augeas; see Augean stables

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012