Tantalus

[ tan-tl-uhs ]

noun

, plural Tan·ta·lus·es

1. Classical 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. (lowercase) Chiefly British. a stand or rack containing visible decanters, especially of wines or liquors, secured by a lock.

tantalus

¹

/ ˈtæntələs /

noun

1. a case in which bottles may be locked with their contents tantalizingly visible

Tantalus

²

/ ˈtæntələs /

noun

1. 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

Tantalus

1. A king in classical mythology who, as punishment for having offended the gods, was tortured with everlasting thirst and hunger in Hades . He stood up to his chin in water, but each time he bent to quench his thirst, the water receded. There were boughs heavy with fruit over his head, but each time he tried to pluck them, the wind blew them out of reach.

Notes

Something is “tantalizing” if it is desirable but unattainable.

Example Sentences

There are pleasures of Tantalus as well as pains of Tantalus.

From Project Gutenberg

Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus, and was born on Mount Sipylus.

From Project Gutenberg

But Wade refused to play Tantalus to the lure of this temptation and kept silent.

From Project Gutenberg

Near the Danades stands Tantalus, the father of Niobe, who on earth was a most inhuman and brutal king.

From Project Gutenberg

The inhuman Tantalus was condemned to the torments of Tartarus, where he stands up to his chin in a clear stream.

From Project Gutenberg