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A constellation in the northern hemisphere, near Lyra. Hercules' beetle (Zoöl.), any species of Dynastes, an American genus of very large lamellicorn beetles, esp. D. hercules of South America, which grows to a length of six inches. -- Hercules' club. (Bot.) (a) An ornamental tree of the West Indies (Zanthoxylum Clava…

Regarded with affection; beloved. [Obs.] His affected Hercules. Chapman.

s of angelica. Angelica tree, a thorny North American shrub (Aralia spinosa), called also Hercules' club.

Pertaining to Antæus, a giant athlete slain by Hercules.

ter the manner of nouns appellative; in a manner to express whole classes or species; as, Hercules is sometimes used appellatively, that is, as a common name, to signify a strong man.

e, character, or identity, added to any particular figure; as, a club is the attribute of Hercules.

s, king of Elis, whose stable contained 3000 oxen, and had not been cleaned for 30 years. Hercules cleansed it in a single day.

One of a group of gigantic, horned beetles, including Dynastus Neptunus, and the Hercules beetle (D. Hercules) of tropical America, which grow to be six inches in length.

Requiring the strength of Hercules; hence, very great, difficult, or dangerous; as, an Herculean task.

trious man, supposed to be exalted, after death, to a place among the gods; a demigod, as Hercules.

world. To slay the guarding dragon and get some of these apples was one of the labors of Hercules. Called also Atlantides.

was immediately succeeded by two others, unless the wound was cauterized. It was slain by Hercules. Hence, a terrible monster. Gorgons, and Hydras, and Chimeras dire. Milton.

Of or pertaining to Nemea, in Argolis, where the ancient Greeks celebrated games, and Hercules killed a lion.

a pillar in appearance, character, or office; a supporter or mainstay; as, the Pillars of Hercules; a pillar of the state. "You are a well-deserving pillar." Shak. By day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire. Milton.

A constellation on the equator, lying between Scorpio and Hercules; -- called also Ophiuchus.

assume the burden or responsibility of; as, to shoulder blame; to shoulder a debt. As if Hercules Or burly Atlas shouldered up their state. Marston. Right shoulder arms (Mil.), a position in the Manual of Arms which the piece is placed on the right shoulder, with the lock plate up, and the muzzle elevated and inclined…

One who, or that which, causes or promotes speed or success. [Obs.] "Hercules be thy speed!" Shak. God speed, Good speed; prosperity. See Godspeed. -- Speed gauge, Speed indicator, and Speed recorder (Mach.), devices for indicating or recording the rate of a body's motion, as the number of revolutions of a shaft in a…

unger.] Lydgate. In hot coals he hath himself raked . . . Thus starved this worthy mighty Hercules. Chaucer.

or modeled in some solid substance, as marble, bronze, or wax; an image; as, a statue of Hercules, or of a lion. I will raise her statue in pure gold. Shak.

limbs; in sculpture, the trunk of a statue, mutilated of head and limbs; as, the torso of Hercules.