Augean

[ aw-jee-uhn ]

/ ɔˈdʒi ən /

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adjective

resembling the Augean stables in filthiness or degradation.

difficult and unpleasant: an Augean chore.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of Augean

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

Words nearby Augean

Aufklärung, au fond, auf Wiedersehen, aug., Auge, Augean, Augean stables, Augeas, augen, augend, auger

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Augean in a sentence

He compared this discovery to a “wagon full of manure” left in the Augean stables of science.
The Two Forms of Mathematical Beauty|Robbert Dijkgraaf|June 16, 2020|Quanta Magazine
I had to chase the chickens back into the coop and close the door so I could finish with the Augean Stables of the chicken pen.
What Did TJ Mean By “Pursuit of Happiness,” Anyway?|P. J. O’Rourke|June 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Bush White House staff has begun the Augean task of spinning the Bush legacy.
Carnival of the Shameless|Christopher Buckley|January 4, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Before the reconstruction, the old rubbish must be cleared away, and Augean stables must be cleansed.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume VI|John Lord

The district-attorney was busy, however, on an Augean task—the cleaning out of the police stable.
What Will People Say?|Rupert Hughes
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

extremely dirty or corrupt

Word Origin for Augean

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