Tantalus

  1. 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.
  2. Noun.  A stork of the genus ''Mycteria'' (formerly ''Tantalus''), especially the American wood ibis, ''Mycteria americana''.
  3. Noun.  A stand in which to lock up drink decanters while keeping them visible.
  4. Noun.  Something of an evasive or retreating nature, something consistently out of reach; a tantalising thing.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.