tantalus

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See also: Tantalus

English

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Etymology

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From Latin Tantalus, from Ancient Greek Τάνταλος (Tántalos, Tantalus), a Phrygian king in Greek mythology who was condemned to stand in a pool of water which receded every time he tried to drink, and with overhanging branches of fruit which pulled back whenever he tried to eat.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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tantalus (plural tantaluses)

  1. A stork of the genus Mycteria (formerly Tantalus), especially the American wood stork, Mycteria americana.
  2. A stand in which to lock up drink decanters while keeping them visible.
    • 1904, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of Black Peter, Norton, published 2005, page 984:
      Yes, there was a tantalus containing brandy and whisky on the sea-chest.
    • 1920, Herman Cyril McNeile, chapter 1, in Bulldog Drummond:
      “A small boy, sir. Said I was to be sure and see you got it most particular.” He unlocked a cupboard near the window and produced a tantalus. “Whisky, sir, or cocktail?”
    • 1960, John Betjeman, Summoned by Bells, John Murray, page 10:
      And stockrooms heavy with the Tantalus
      on which the family fortune has been made
  3. Something of an evasive or retreating nature, something consistently out of reach; a tantalising thing.
    • 1953, Ian Fleming, Casino Royale, Penguin Classics, published 2004, page 149:
      Over all, there brooded the shadow of his injuries and the tantalus of their slow healing.

See also

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