hesperides: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / SpecialisedLiterary / Poetic / Technical (Mythology)
Quick answer
What does “hesperides” mean?
In Greek mythology, the nymphs who guarded the golden apples in a garden at the western edge of the world, often considered daughters of Hesperus or of Atlas.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In Greek mythology, the nymphs who guarded the golden apples in a garden at the western edge of the world, often considered daughters of Hesperus or of Atlas.
The garden itself, or a term used poetically to denote a paradisiacal or idyllic garden, particularly one bearing golden fruit or associated with evening and the west.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and capitalisation are identical.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries the same scholarly or literary connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, limited to specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hesperides” in a Sentence
(the) Hesperides (proper noun)garden of the Hesperidesapples of the HesperidesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hesperides” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Hesperidean garden was a favourite subject for Renaissance painters.
American English
- The poet described a Hesperidean orchard of perpetual sunset.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in classical studies, literature, art history, and mythology texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare, only in educated conversation about mythology or literature.
Technical
Specific to mythology and related scholarly fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hesperides”
- Misspelling: 'Hesparides', 'Hesperedes'.
- Incorrect capitalisation: writing 'hesperides'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a hesperides').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is plural. It refers to a group of nymphs. The singular form is rarely used but would be 'Hesperis' or 'Hesperid'.
No, it is a highly specialised term. Using it in everyday conversation would likely cause confusion unless you are discussing classical mythology.
They share the same Greek root ('hesperos' meaning evening/west). A 'hesperidium' is a botanical term for a citrus fruit (like an orange), named poetically after the 'golden apples' of the Hesperides.
It is pronounced as a long 'eez' sound (/iːz/ in British English, /iz/ in American English), similar to 'Hercules' or 'Achilles'.
In Greek mythology, the nymphs who guarded the golden apples in a garden at the western edge of the world, often considered daughters of Hesperus or of Atlas.
Hesperides is usually literary / poetic / technical (mythology) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An apple from the Hesperides (meaning: an extremely rare or unattainably perfect thing).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HESPERIdes live in the HESPERus (evening star, west) to guard the golden apples. Their garden is at the westERN edge.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE HESPERIDES ARE GUARDIANS; THE GARDEN OF THE HESPERIDES IS AN UNATTAINABLE IDEAL / PARADISE.
Practice
Quiz
In Greek mythology, who were the Hesperides?