Tantalic
/ˈtæn.tə.lɪk/noun
Relating to or resembling Tantalus; agonizingly tempting but frustratingly out of reach.
Did you know?The word comes from Tantalus, the mythic king punished in Hades with water and fruit forever just beyond his reach, making his name a permanent symbol of torment-by-temptation.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Τάνταλος (Tántalos)
“Tantalus, the mythic figure punished with unreachable food and water”
Late Latin
Latin
Tantalus
“The same mythic name, used in learned reference”
17th Century
English
tantalize
“To torment by presenting something desirable but keeping it out of reach”
18th Century
English
tantalic
“Pertaining to Tantalus; tantalizing, tormenting by desire”
Modern English
English
tantalic
“Relating to or having the quality of tantalizing frustration”
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