Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
982,837,271 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

Cerberus

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.06 sec.
Cerberus (sûr`bərəs), in Greek mythology, many-headed dog with a mane and a tail of snakes; offspring of Typhon and Echidna. He guarded the entrance of Hades. One of the 12 labors of Hercules was to capture him.

Cerberus

In Greek mythology, the monstrous watchdog of the underworld. He was usually said to have three heads, though Hesiod says he had 50. Heads of snakes grew from his back, and he had a serpent's tail. He devoured anyone who tried to escape Hades's kingdom, and he refused entrance to living humans, though Orpheus gained passage by charming him with music. One of the labours of Heracles was to bring Cerberus up to the land of the living; after succeeding, he returned the creature to Hades.

Cerberus
three-headed beast guarding gates of hell. [Classical Myth.: Zimmerman, 55–56]
See : Dogs
Cerberus
three-headed dog, guards gate to Hades. [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 55]
See : Guardianship
Cerberus
three-headed watchdog of Hades. [Gk. Myth.: Avery, 270]
See : Monsters
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
 Email
Feedback
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The porter in his lodge answers exactly to Cerberus in his den, and, like him, must be appeased by a sop before access can be gained to his master.
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context
And the anaemic Cerberus sized me up with so insolent an eye that I reached over and took him out of his chair.
Moon-Face and Other Stories by London, Jack View in context
And while the three-headed Cerberus was fawning so lovingly on King Pluto, there was the dragon tail wagging against its will, and looking as cross and ill-natured as you can imagine, on its own separate account.
Tanglewood Tales by Hawthorne, Nathaniel View in context
More results
 
Encyclopedia browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Encyclopedia
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.