Herculean
/ˌhɜːr.kjuˈliː.ən/noun
Very difficult and requiring great strength or effort.
Did you know?Herculean comes from Hercules, the Roman form of Heracles, whose fame was built on a cycle of punishing labors so extreme they turned his name into a byword for superhuman effort.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Hēraklês
“Heracles, the hero famed for extraordinary strength and the Twelve Labors”
Classical Latin
Latin
Herculēs
“Hercules, the Roman name for Heracles”
Late Latin
Latin
Herculeus
“Of or belonging to Hercules; mighty, strong”
16th Century
English
herculian / herculean
“Pertaining to Hercules; exceptionally strong or formidable”
Modern English
English
herculean
“Extremely difficult and requiring great strength or effort”