Augean

[ aw-jee-uhn ]

adjective

1. resembling the Augean stables in filthiness or degradation.
2. difficult and unpleasant:

   an Augean chore.

Augean

/ ɔːˈdʒiːən /

adjective

1. extremely dirty or corrupt

Word History and Origins

Origin of Augean¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Augean¹

C16: after Augeas; see Augean stables

Example Sentences

A moment in Greek mythology comes to mind: Hercules and the Augean Stables.

From Salon

She made everyone else look overdone and overdressed, washing the Augean stables of Cannes clean.

From New York Times

He likened the Internet to the Augean stables in Greek mythology, which needed Hercules to divert two rivers to wash away decades of manure.

From Reuters

It is also going to be an Augean task for those who encircled Trump to distance themselves and rehab their reputations.

From New York Times

The fifth labor was to clean the Augean stables in a single day.

From Literature