tantalus noun. ['tantǝlǝs] In sense 1 usu. Tantalus. M18.
[Latin Tantalus from Greek Tantalos a mythical king of Phrygia condemned to stand up to his chin in water which receded whenever he tried to drink, and under branches of fruit which drew back whenever he tried to pick their fruit.]
1. A person likened to Tantalus; one never satisfied. rare. M18.

2. A stork of the genus Mycteria (formerly Tantalus); spec. the American wood ibis, M. americana. Now rare. E19.

3. A stand in which decanters can be locked up while remaining visible. L19.

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