Heracles

[ her-uh-kleez ]

noun

1. Hercules ( def 1 ).
2. Also called Heracles Furens [fyoor, -, uh, ns]. (italics) a tragedy (420? b.c.) by Euripides.

Heracles

/ ˈhɛrəˌkliːz /

noun

1. the usual name (in Greek) for Hercules 1

Derived Forms

• ˌHeraˈclean, adjective

Other Words From

• Hera·clean adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Heracles¹

From Greek Hēraklês, literally, “having the glory of Hera,” equivalent to Hḗra + -klēs, akin to kléos “glory, fame”; Hera

Example Sentences

Heracles goes on his twelve labours, not to better mankind, but to achieve immortality and atone for his own sins.

From The Daily Beast

Mythic heroes, especially Heracles, wrestled monsters and wild beasts at the beginning of time.

From The Daily Beast

See Now Then is the story of Mr. and Mrs. Sweet and their two children Persephone and Heracles.

From The Daily Beast

One could have found men who were said to have fought alongside Heracles.

From The Daily Beast

Hesiod, quite unlike his contemporaries, the "later" poets of Iliad and Odyssey, gives to Heracles an iron helmet and sword.

From Project Gutenberg

The swallowing and disgorging of Heracles by the monster that was to slay Hesione is well known.

From Project Gutenberg

The euhemeristic explanation of the struggle with the triple monster was that Heracles fought three brothers in succession.

From Project Gutenberg

To carry off these cattle to Greece was one of the twelve “labours” imposed by Eurystheus upon Heracles.

From Project Gutenberg

Heracles is called , from his being identical with the Sun, and he has this name in common with Apollo and Jove.

From Project Gutenberg