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Tantalus

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
Tan·ta·lus  (tnt-ls)
n. Greek Mythology
A king who for his crimes was condemned in Hades to stand in water that receded when he tried to drink, and with fruit hanging above him that receded when he reached for it.
[Latin, from Greek Tantalos; see tel- in Indo-European roots.]
tantalus [ˈtæntələs]
n
Brit a case in which bottles may be locked with their contents tantalizingly visible
Tantalus [ˈtæntələs]
n
(Myth & Legend / Classical Myth & Legend) Greek myth a king, the father of Pelops, punished in Hades for his misdeeds by having to stand in water that recedes when he tries to drink it and under fruit that moves away as he reaches for it
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.TantalusTantalus - (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
Greek mythology - the mythology of the ancient Greeks


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
No, Dick; you must taste a little of the torture of Tantalus just now.
Five Weeks in a Balloon by Verne, Jules View in context
And now it is the time; from Hell's abyss Come thirsting Tantalus, come Sisyphus Heaving the cruel stone, come Tityus With vulture, and with wheel Ixion come, And come the sisters of the ceaseless toil; And all into this breast transfer their pains, And (if such tribute to despair be due) Chant in their deepest tones a doleful dirge Over a corse unworthy of a shroud.
Don Quixote by Cervantes, Miguel View in context
Then he raised to his lips the repast that, like a voluntary Tantalus, he refused himself; but he thought of his oath, and he would not break it.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas, Alexandre View in context
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