Tantalus

Tan·ta·lus

T0040100 (tăn′tə-ləs)n. Greek Mythology A king who for his crimes was condemned in Hades to stand in water that receded when he tried to drink, and with fruit hanging above him that receded when he reached for it.

[Latin, from Greek Tantalos; see telə- in Indo-European roots.]

Tantalus

(ˈtæntələs) n (Classical Myth & Legend) Greek myth a king, the father of Pelops, punished in Hades for his misdeeds by having to stand in water that recedes when he tries to drink it and under fruit that moves away as he reaches for it

tantalus

(ˈtæntələs) nBrit a case in which bottles may be locked with their contents tantalizingly visible

Tan•ta•lus

(ˈtæn tl əs)

n., pl. -lus•es. 1. a legendary king of Phrygia who was condemned to remain in Tartarus, chin deep in water, with fruit-laden branches above his head: whenever he tried to drink or eat, the water and fruit receded out of reach. 2. (l.c.) a rack containing visible decanters secured by a lock.

Thesaurus

Noun

Tantalus - (Greek mythology) a wicked king and son of Zeus; condemned in Hades to stand in water that receded when he tried to drink and beneath fruit that receded when he reached for itGreek mythology - the mythology of the ancient Greeks

Tantalus

(tăn`tələs), in Greek mythology, king of Sipylos, son of Zeus and father of Pelops and Niobe. He was admitted to the society of the gods, but his abominable behavior aroused their anger, and Zeus condemned him to suffer eternally at Tartarus. One legend says that he had divulged divine secrets and stolen the gods' sacred food. Another tells that he had murdered his son Pelops and served his body to the gods to test their omniscience. As punishment he was condemned to hang from the bough of a fruit tree over a pool of water. When he bent to drink, the water would recede; when he reached for a fruit, the wind would blow it from his reach. A further account of his punishment tells of a great stone hanging over his head threatening to fall. The word tantalize originated from his name.

Tantalus

in ancient Greek mythology, a Lydian or Phrygian king; son of Zeus and father of Pelops and Niobe.

Because Tantalus divulged the secrets of the Olympians and stole nectar and ambrosia from them and served the flesh of his own son Pelops—whom he had slain—to the gods at a feast, the gods condemned him to eternal torments in the underworld. Although he stood in water up to his neck and saw fruit hanging on a tree, Tantalus could not satisfy his thirst or hunger, because the water always receded from him and the fruit moved away. This gave rise to the expression “to tantalize.”

Tantalus

condemned in Hades to thirst after receding water. [Gk. Myth.: Brewer Dictionary, 1062]See: Frustration

Tantalus

punished with ceaseless hunger for food just beyond his reach. [Gk. Myth.: Hamilton, 346]See: Hunger

Tantalus

for his crimes, sentenced to Hades to be within reach of water he cannot drink. [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 253; Gk. Lit.: Odyssey]See: Punishment

Tantalus

condemned to Tartarus with food and water always just out of reach; hence, tantalize. [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 253]See: Suffering

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Words related to Tantalus

noun (Greek mythology) a wicked king and son of Zeus

Related Words