Associations to the word «Tantalus»

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.

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.