Herculean
See also: herculean
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
See Hercules.
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 159: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value US is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /hɜːɹˈkjuːliən/, /ˌhɜːɹkjəˈliːən/
Adjective
Herculean (comparative more Herculean, superlative most Herculean)
- Of extraordinary might, power, size, etc.; suggesting Hercules in size or strength.
- c. 1606–1607, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii], page 343, column 1:
- But this is not the best:—look, pr'ythee, Charmian, / How this Herculean Roman does become / The carriage of his chafe.
- (Can we date this quote by Bertram Fields and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- It was truly a Herculean effort. I never thought it was going to happen, but it did.
- Requiring a huge amount of work; of extraordinary difficulty.
- a Herculean labour
- 1748, Tobias George Smollett, The Adventures of Roderick Random:
- He replied in a dry manner, that I would find it a Herculean task to chastise everybody who should laugh at my expense;
- 2006, Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear (TV show), commenting on the Bugatti Veyron automobile
- The guys at Volkswagen have a Herculean task.
See also
Translations
of extraordinary might, power, size, etc.
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requiring a huge amount of work
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