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

The most famous of these, perhaps, is the Greek myth in which Hera pushes away the baby Heracles from her bosom, and her breast milk spills from horizon to horizon.

From Scientific American

He has made just five appearances for Celta this season, all as a substitute, totaling 54 minutes, following his transfer from the Dutch club Heracles.

From Seattle Times

Never mind Zeus or Heracles or any of the other Greek gods.

From Los Angeles Times

Just think King Arthur meets Heracles with a dash of Thor and multiply that by fifty thousand.

From Literature

It has produced Euripides’ “The Bacchae” in rural communities affected by the opioid crisis, “The Madness of Heracles” in neighborhoods afflicted by gun violence and gang wars, and Aeschylus’ “Prometheus Bound” in prisons.

From Seattle Times