Hesperides

[ he-sper-i-deez ]

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) (used with a plural verb) a collection of poems (1648) by Robert Herrick.

Hesperides

/ 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

Derived Forms

• Hesperidian, adjective

Other Words From

• Hes·per·id·i·an [hes-p, uh, -, rid, -ee-, uh, n], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hesperides¹

First recorded in 1590–1610; Hesperus, -ides

Example Sentences

Juno had left these apples with the Hesperides for safekeeping.

From Project Gutenberg

Juno prized these apples highly, and gave them to the Hesperides, the daughters of Hesperus.

From Project Gutenberg

He plucked an apple, and in a moment it looked like one of the golden fruit from the garden of the Hesperides.

From Project Gutenberg

They were on an island cut off from all to-morrows; but they were together, and their island held the fruits of the Hesperides.

From Project Gutenberg

A dragon watched the gardens of the Hesperides, and its destruction formed one of the seven labours of Hercules.

From Project Gutenberg