Hesperides

American  

[he-sper-i-deez] / hɛˈspɛr ɪˌdiz /

noun

1. Classical Mythology.

   1. (used with a plural verb) nymphs, variously given as three to seven in number, who guarded with the dragon Ladon the golden apples that were the wedding gift of Gaia to Hera.

   2. (used with a singular verb) the garden where the golden apples were grown.

   3. (used with a plural verb) Islands of the Blessed.

2. (italics) a collection of poems (1648) by Robert Herrick.

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Hesperides British  

/ hɛˈspɛrɪˌdiːz, ˌhɛspəˈrɪdɪən /

plural noun

1. the daughters of Hesperus, nymphs who kept watch with a dragon over the garden of the golden apples in the Islands of the Blessed

2. (functioning as singular) the gardens themselves

3. another name for the Islands of the Blessed

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Other Word Forms

• Hesperidian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Hesperides

First recorded in 1590–1610; see origin at Hesperus, -ides

Example Sentences

Pushed by gentle winds, the Creole headed at week's end for the island of Mallorca. the golden isle of the Hesperides, to which Hercules, of Greek legend, once sailed in search of the Golden Apples.

From Time Magazine Archive

At Naples, Fascist engineers commenced the task of extricating Herculaneum, sister city of Pompeii, supposed to have been founded by Hercules upon a trip west to the Hesperides.

From Time Magazine Archive

Atlas, who bore the vault of heaven upon his shoulders, was the father of the Hesperides, so Hercules went to him and asked him to get the apples for him.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

We ran up the mountain as the Hesperides resumed their song in the shadows behind us.

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan

It was to bring back the Golden Apples of the Hesperides, and he did not know where they were to be found.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton