Hercules-club

[ hur-kyuh-leez-kluhb ]

noun

1. Also called South·ern prick·ly ash [suhth, -ern , prik, -lee , ash]. a prickly tree, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, of the rue family, having a medicinal bark and berries.
2. Also called angelica tree, devil's-walking-stick, prickly ash. a prickly shrub, Aralia spinosa, of the ginseng family, having a medicinal bark and root.

Hercules'-club

noun

1. a prickly North American araliaceous shrub, Aralia spinosa, with medicinal bark and leaves
2. a prickly North American rutaceous tree, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, with medicinal bark and berries

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hercules-club¹

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

“Everybody find the northern crown, or Virgo’s necklace, and Hercules’ club.

From Project Gutenberg

The Hercules’ club, Aralia spinosa L., grows to tree size in southern Illinois, with a spiny stem 25 to 30 feet tall and a flat-topped head.

From Project Gutenberg

"With your arrows and your club," Eurystheus replied carelessly, but he knew that no arrows in all Greece could pierce the lion's skin and that Hercules' club, made of a stout young tree, would also be powerless against the beast.

From Project Gutenberg

Said Johnny Hiehl of the Hercules Club: "I don't see anything wrong with the Mayor at all."

From Time Magazine Archive

It had been bought in New Moscow of the Hercules Club, and was of course all right.

From Project Gutenberg