|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
Tantalus
Tantalus , 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. |
|
|
Cite this article
"Tantalus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Tantalus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Tantalus.html "Tantalus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Tantalus.html |
|
Tantalus
TantalusIn Greek mythology, Tantalus, king of Lydia, was the son of Zeus*. A favorite of the gods, he was often invited to dine at their feasts. But Tantalus angered the gods. Some stories say that he betrayed their secrets to mortals, while others claim that he stole the food of the gods. Another myth gives a more gruesome explanation, saying that Tantalus killed his son Pelops and served the flesh to the gods to prove they could not tell the difference between human and animal meat. underworld land of the dead To punish Tantalus, the gods placed him in a pool of water in the underworld that was surrounded by fruit trees. When he went to drink, the water would recede. When he tried to eat the fruit, it moved out of reach. Tantalus's punishment gave rise to the word tantalizing, meaning something that is tempting but just out of reach. |
|
|
Cite this article
"Tantalus." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Tantalus." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900467.html "Tantalus." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900467.html |
|
Tantalus
Tan·ta·lus / ˈtantl-əs/ Greek Mythol. a Lydian king, son of Zeus and father of Pelops. As punishment for his crimes (which included killing Pelops), he was forced to remain in chin-deep water with fruit-laden branches over his head, both of which receded when he reached for them. His name is the origin of the word tantalize. |
|
|
Cite this article
"Tantalus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Tantalus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-tantalus.html "Tantalus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-tantalus.html |
|
Tantalus
Tantalus in Greek mythology, a Lydian king, son of Zeus and father of Pelops. For his crimes (which included killing Pelops) he was punished by being provided with fruit and water which receded when he reached for them. His name is the origin of the word tantalize.
|
|
|
Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Tantalus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Tantalus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Tantalus.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Tantalus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Tantalus.html |
|
tantalus
tan·ta·lus / ˈtantl-əs/ • n. chiefly Brit. a stand in which decanters of liquor can be locked up though still visible. |
|
|
Cite this article
"tantalus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tantalus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-tantalus005.html "tantalus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-tantalus005.html |
|
tantalus
tantalus genus of storks; spirit stand containing decanters locked up but visible. XIX. — L. Tantalus (see TANTALIZE).
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "tantalus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "tantalus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-tantalus.html T. F. HOAD. "tantalus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-tantalus.html |
|
tantalus
tantalus
•Callas, callous, callus, Dallas, Pallas, phallus
•Nablus • manless
•hapless, mapless
•atlas, fatless, hatless
•braless, parlous
•armless • artless
•jealous, zealous
•endless • legless • sexless • airless
•talus • bacillus • windlass • Nicklaus
•obelus • strobilus
•acidophilus, Theophilus
•angelus • Aeschylus • perilous
•scurrilous • Wenceslas • nautilus
•Silas, stylus
•jobless
•godless, rodless
•Patroclus • topless • coxless
•lawless, oarless
•Aeolus, alveolus, bolas, bolus, gladiolus, holus-bolus, solus, toeless
•Troilus • Douglas • useless • Tibullus
•garrulous • querulous • fabulous
•miraculous • calculus • famulus
•crapulous • patulous • nebulous
•credulous, sedulous
•pendulous • regulus
•emulous, tremulous
•bibulous • acidulous
•meticulous, ridiculous
•mimulus, stimulus
•scrofulous • flocculus • Romulus
•populace, populous
•convolvulus
•altocumulus, cirrocumulus, cumulus, stratocumulus, tumulus
•scrupulous
•furunculous, homunculus, ranunculus
•Catullus • troublous
•gunless, sunless
•cutlass, gutless
•earless • Heliogabalus
•libellous (US libelous) • discobolus
•scandalous • Daedalus • astragalus
•Nicholas • anomalous • Sardanapalus
•tantalus
•marvellous (US marvelous)
•frivolous • furless • surplus
|
|
|
Cite this article
"tantalus." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tantalus." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-tantalus.html "tantalus." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-tantalus.html |
|
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
