|hər]kyə|lēən, |hər]|kyülēən, |hə̄], |həi], hə(r)ˈkyül- adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Hercules + English -an
1. : of or relating to Hercules or his feats
Herculean labors
2.
a. : of heroic proportions : very large and strong
Herculean longshoreman
the bed was a wide and Herculean piece — Ellery Queen
b. : of extraordinary might or tremendous difficulty : displaying or requiring the strength of a Hercules
Herculean exertions
Herculean task
Synonyms: see huge