Copper pursuing woman’s slender and very strong (9)

I believe the answer is:

herculean

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'very strong' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'copper pursuing woman's slender' is the wordplay.
'copper' becomes 'cu' (chemical symbol).
'pursuing' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'woman's' becomes 'her' (belonging to a woman).
'slender' becomes 'lean' (similar in meaning).
'cu' after 'her' is 'hercu'.
'hercu'+'lean'='HERCULEAN'

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for herculean that I've seen before include "Enormously demanding (task)" , "Powerful" , "Showing great strength" , "Colossal" , "So enormous a task" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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