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Atlas

 - 13 dictionary results

at⋅las

  [at-luhs]
Use Atlas in a Sentence
–noun, plural at⋅las⋅es for 1–3, at⋅lan⋅tes  [at-lan-teez] for 5.
1. a bound collection of maps.
2. a bound volume of charts, plates, or tables illustrating any subject.
3. Anatomy. the first cervical vertebra, which supports the head.
4. a size of drawing or writing paper, 26 × 34 or 33 inches.
5. Also called telamon. Architecture. a sculptural figure of a man used as a column.
Compare caryatid.

Origin:
1580–90 in sense “prop, support”; as name for a collection of maps, said to be from illustrations of Atlas supporting the globe in early books of this kind

At⋅las

  [at-luhs]
–noun, plural At⋅las⋅es for 2, 4.
1. Classical Mythology. a Titan, son of Iapetus and brother of Prometheus and Epimetheus, condemned to support the sky on his shoulders: identified by the ancients with the Atlas Mountains.
2. a person who supports a heavy burden; a mainstay.
3. Charles (Angelo Siciliano), 1894–1972, U.S. body-building advocate, born in Italy.
4. a liquid-propellant booster rocket, originally developed as the first U.S. ICBM, used with Agena or Centaur upper stages to launch satellites into orbit around the earth and send probes to the moon and planets; also used to launch the Mercury spacecraft into orbit around the earth.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Atlas
at·las 1   (āt'ləs)   
n.   pl. at·las·es

  1. A book or bound collection of maps, sometimes with supplementary illustrations and graphic analyses.

  2. A volume of tables, charts, or plates that systematically illustrates a particular subject: an anatomical atlas.

  3. A large size of drawing paper, measuring 26 × 33 or 26 × 34 inches.


[After Atlas, probably from depictions of him holding the world on his shoulders that appeared on the frontispieces of early works of this kind.]
at·las 2   (āt'ləs)   
n.   pl. at·las·es

  1. pl. at·lan·tes (āt-lān'tēz) Architecture A standing or kneeling figure of a man used as a supporting column, as for an entablature or balcony.

  2. Anatomy The top or first cervical vertebra of the neck, which supports the skull.


[From Atlas.]
At·las   (āt'ləs)   
n.  

  1. Greek Mythology A Titan condemned by Zeus to support the heavens upon his shoulders.

  2. A satellite of Saturn.

  3. atlas A person who supports a great burden.


[Greek; see telə- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

Atlas

In classical mythology, a Titan famous for his strength. After the defeat of the Titans by Zeus, Atlas was condemned to support the Earth and sky on his shoulders for eternity.

Note: Since the sixteenth century, pictures of Atlas and his burden have been used as decorations on maps. Accordingly, the word atlas is used for a book of maps.
Note: An “Atlas” or “atlas” is an incredibly strong person or one who carries an enormous burden.

atlas

A bound collection of maps. Atlases are named after the Greek god Atlas.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

Atlas 
1589, Titan, son of Iapetus and Clymene, supposed to uphold the pillars of heaven, which was his punishment for being the war leader of the Titans in the struggle with the Olympian gods. The name means lit. "The Bearer (of the Heavens)," from stem of tlenai "to bear." Mount Atlas, in Mauritania, was important in Gk. cosmology as a support of the heavens.

atlas 
"collection of maps in a volume," 1636, first in ref. to the Eng. translation of "Atlas, sive cosmographicae meditationes de fabrica mundi" (1585) by Flemish geographer Gerhardus Mercator (1512-94), who may have been the first to use this word in this way. A picture of the Titan Atlas holding up the world (see Atlas) appeared on the frontispiece.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: at·las
Pronunciation: 'at-l&s
Function: noun
: the first vertebra of the neck
Atlas, Greek mythological character. In Greeklegend Atlas was a Titan who took part in the revolt against the gods. As a punishment he was condemned to hold the heavens aloft forever. Atlas was usually represented as a human figure bearing theheavens or the celestial globe upon his shoulders.
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

atlas at·las (āt'ləs)
n.
The top or first cervical vertebra of the neck, supporting the skull and articulating with the occipital bone and rotating around the dens of the axis.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Computing Dictionary

ATLAS
Abbreviated Test Language for Avionics Systems

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Abbreviations & Acronyms
ATLAS
[National Aeronautics and Space Administration] Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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