Hercules
[ hur-kyuh-leez ]
/ ˈhɜr kyəˌliz /
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noun, genitive Her·cu·lis [hur-kyuh-lis] /ˈhɜr kyə lɪs/ for 2.
Also Her·a·cles [her-uh-kleez] /ˈhɛr əˌkliz/ .Also called Al·ci·des [al-sahy-deez] /ælˈsaɪ diz/ .Classical Mythology. a celebrated hero, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, possessing exceptional strength: among his many adventures were the twelve labors for his cousin Eurystheus, performed in order to gain immortality.Compare labors of Hercules.
Astronomy. a northern constellation, between Lyra and Corona Borealis.
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Origin of Hercules
From Latin Herculēs, Herclēs, Greek; see Heracles
Words nearby Hercules
herby, Hercegovina, Herceptin, Herculaneum, herculean, Hercules, Hercules beetle, Hercules-club, Hercynian, hercynite, herd
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for Hercules
British Dictionary definitions for Hercules (1 of 2)
Hercules1
Heracles or Herakles
/ (ˈhɜːkjʊˌliːz) /
noun
Also called: Alcides classical myth a hero noted for his great strength, courage, and for the performance of twelve immense labours
a man of outstanding strength or size
Derived forms of Hercules
Herculean, Heraclean or Heraklean, adjectiveBritish Dictionary definitions for Hercules (2 of 2)
Hercules2
/ (ˈhɜːkjʊˌliːz) /
noun Latin genitive Herculeis (ˌhɜːkjʊˈliːɪs)
a large constellation in the N hemisphere lying between Lyra and Corona Borealis
a conspicuous crater in the NW quadrant of the moon, about 70 kilometres in diameter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for Hercules
Hercules
[ hûr′kyə-lēz′ ]
A constellation in the Northern Hemisphere near Lyra and Corona Borealis.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for Hercules
Hercules
One of the greatest heroes of classical mythology, he is supposed to have been the strongest man on earth. He was renowned for completing twelve seemingly impossible tasks — the Labors of Hercules. One of these labors was the cleaning of the Augean stables; another was the killing of the nine-headed Hydra. Hercules was a son of Zeus.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.