Augean

English

Alternative forms

• Augæan

Etymology

A reference to Augeas, a figure in Greek mythology whose stables were never cleaned until Hercules was given the task of cleaning them.^[1]

Adjective

Augean (comparative more Augean, superlative most Augean)

1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Augeas.
2. Hence, very filthy.

References

1. ^ Ariadne’s Thread: A Guide to International Tales Found in Classical Literature by William F. Hansen (2002; Cornell University Press; ISBN 9780801475726, 9780801436703), page 160
     Herakles Cleans the Augean Stables
     One of the best-known stories attached to Herakles tells how in one day he removed the dung from King Augeias’s cattle yard, which had not been cleaned in years.