Etymograph

English

Tantalus

Tantalus comes from Ancient Greek Τάνταλος.

  1. Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEΤάνταλοςTántalos
  2. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CETantalus
  3. Englishearliest quotation 1593same form

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEΤάνταλοςTántalos
  2. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CETantalus
  3. Englishearliest quotation 1593same form

Earliest quotation: 1593, William Shakespeare, Venus and Adonis: “He will not mannage her, although he mount her,…”

Every English word from Ancient Greek Τάνταλος

Today it means

name 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.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Ancient Greek Τάνταλος / Tantalus

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