Associations to the word «Tantalus»

Wiktionary

TANTALUS, noun. A stork of the genus Mycteria (formerly Tantalus), especially the American wood stork, Mycteria americana.
TANTALUS, noun. A stand in which to lock up drink decanters while keeping them visible.
TANTALUS, noun. Something of an evasive or retreating nature, something consistently out of reach; a tantalising thing.
TANTALUS, proper noun. (obsolete) Mycteria, the genus of certain storks.
TANTALUS, proper noun. (Greek mythology) A Phrygian king who was condemned to remain in Tartarus, chin deep in water, with fruit-laden branches hanging above his head; whenever he tried to drink or eat, the water and fruit receded out of reach.

Dictionary definition

TANTALUS, noun. (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 it.

Wise words

Men govern nothing with more difficulty than their tongues, and can moderate their desires more than their words.
Baruch Spinoza