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

He compared this discovery to a “wagon full of manure” left in the Augean stables of science.

From Quanta Magazine

I had to chase the chickens back into the coop and close the door so I could finish with the Augean Stables of the chicken pen.

From The Daily Beast

The Bush White House staff has begun the Augean task of spinning the Bush legacy.

From The Daily Beast

Before the reconstruction, the old rubbish must be cleared away, and Augean stables must be cleansed.

From Project Gutenberg

The district-attorney was busy, however, on an Augean task—the cleaning out of the police stable.

From Project Gutenberg

She seemed prepared to clean Augean stables, and there was something judicial in her aspect too, but she did not look at Olive.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the river Alpheus that Hercules turned through the Augean stables.

From Project Gutenberg

However the patriarch and his sons managed to cleanse this worse than Augean stable passes all understanding.

From Project Gutenberg