Herculean

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See also: herculean

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Hercules +‎ -an.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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Herculean (comparative more Herculean, superlative most Herculean)

  1. Of extraordinary might, power, size, etc.; suggesting Hercules in size or strength.
  2. 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.
    • 2012, John Nonte, Supercollider 4:
      There are thousands of known isotopes, and to have a functional and easily maintainable exhibit for all of these would require a Herculean effort.

Translations

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See also

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