Augean

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Latin Augeas +‎ -an.

A reference to Augeas, a figure in Greek mythology whose stables were never cleaned until Hercules was given the task of cleaning them.[1]

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ɔːˈdʒiːən/

Adjective

Augean (comparative more Augean, superlative most Augean)

  1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Augeas.
  2. Very filthy.

Derived terms

References
  1. Ariadne’s Thread: A Guide to International Tales Found in Classical Literature by William F. Hansen (2002; Cornell University Press; →ISBN, 9780801436703), page 160
      Herakles Cleans the Augean Stables
      One of the best-known stories attached to Herakles tells how in one day he removed the dung from King Augeias’s cattle yard, which had not been cleaned in years.
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