tantalus

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“
He went to a little table whereon stood a tantalus, tumblers, and a syphon, and pouring out some brandy, drank.

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Definitions (2)

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  1. A Phrygian king who was punished in the lower world by being placed in the midst of a lake whose waters reached to his chin but receded whenever he attempted to allay his thirst, while over his head hung branches laden with choice fruit which likewise receded whenever he stretched out his hand to grasp them.

Toggle WordNet definitions WordNet (1)

  1. (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

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Examples (37)

  • The item was a tantalus, a grand brass-and-mahogany carrying device used by butlers for several glass decanters. —  dummy 3
  • “Well?” Crossing to the tantalus, Tony poured a small measure of brandy, more to have something to do than anything else. —  A Gentleman's Honor
  • From the tantalus, Lerner lifted a crystal flask of bourbon and two shot glasses. —  FSF,March2008
  • That wasn't ralphieboy saying that it is so, but ralphieboy using a crass example for one of two divergent worldviews. tantalus in @29 repeated that line, in italics, and said he doesn't think that's the way the majority will see this. —  Moon of Alabama
  • There was an evening paper on the floor, but I didn't examine it Anything else On the table there was a whisky decanter, taken from the tantalus-stand on the sideboard, and one glass. —  Martin Hewitt, Investigator
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