Definition of "tantalus" [tantalus]

• A stork of the genus Mycteria (formerly Tantalus), especially the American wood ibis, Mycteria americana. (noun)
• A stand in which to lock up drink decanters while keeping them visible. (noun)
• Something of an evasive or retreating nature, something consistently out of reach; a tantalising thing. (noun)

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• "The most common primate recorded by Barber et al. was baboon Papio anubis, with lower numbers of patas and tantalus monkeys (Cercopithecus patas and C. tantalus), and low numbers of black and white colobus monkeys Colobus guereza in the dry forest."
• "The Dumbocrats should run campaign adds featuring Pat Boone's Fruit-of-the-Loom commercials from the '70's and ask rhetorically, who is the "treat"? tantalus wrote on November 5, 2007 6: 41 AM:"
• "Julian went to the tantalus on the sideboard and poured himself a brandy to steady his nerves."