herculean

[hur-kyuh-lee-uhn, hur-kyoo-lee-uhn]

adjective

1. requiring the great strength of a Hercules; very hard to perform.

   Digging the tunnel was a herculean task.

   Synonyms: formidable, onerous, arduous, prodigious

2. having enormous strength, courage, or size.

3. (initial capital letter),  of or relating to Hercules or his labors.

herculean

/ ˌhɜːkjʊˈliːən /

adjective

1. requiring tremendous effort, strength, etc

   a herculean task

2. (sometimes capital) resembling Hercules in strength, courage, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of herculean¹

1590–1600; < Latin Hercule ( us ) of, belonging to Hercules + -an