Definition of "herculean"

Still there are some loop-holes out of which a man may creep, and dare to think and act for himself; but for a woman it is an herculean task, because she has difficulties peculiar to her sex to overcome, which require almost super-human powers.

1791 (date written), Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects, 1st American edition, Boston, Mass.: […] Peter Edes for Thomas and Andrews, […], published 1792

In October 1998, heavy rains brought on by two consecutive typhoons caused serious flooding in northern Taiwan. Fortunately, the floods receded in a short time and many people went to the disaster areas to help the victims. For example, over one thousand Tzu Chi volunteers helped city workers and military forces clean up debris in Hsichih. They finished the herculean job in just one day.

2005, Cheng Yen, “Humanitarian Care Transcends All Borders”, in Foreign Language Publications Department, transl., edited by Douglas Shaw, The Cycle of Beauty‎, Taipei: Jing Si Publications Co., Ltd., page 78