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augean

 - 2 dictionary results

Au⋅ge⋅an

  [aw-jee-uhn]
Use augean in a Sentence
–adjective
1. resembling the Augean stables in filthiness or degradation.
2. difficult and unpleasant: an Augean chore.
Origin:
1590–1600; < L Augē(us) of Augeas (Gk Augeí(ās) + -us adj. suffix) + -an
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To augean
Au·ge·an   (ô-jē'ən)   
adj.  

  1. Exceedingly filthy from long neglect.

  2. Requiring heroic efforts of cleaning or correction: the Augean task of reforming the bureaucracy.


[After Augeas, legendary Greek king who did not clean his stable for thirty years.]
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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