Atlas

75 7.9

A giant from Greek myth who holds the sky on his shoulders

proper noun
/ˈætləs/

Literature

: Atlas

In Greek mythology, the Titan Atlas was forced to bear the weight of the heavens.

Just stood at the bottom like Atlas.

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Examples

"We gazed out at the topiary sculptures dotting the lawn: a bear, a dolphin, Atlas shouldering the world."

Fiction book (1998)
The image of the world being held up by Atlas, which you are sculpting, is of prime importance.

Fiction book (2002)
Once there, the hero found the Titan Atlas holding up the heavens.
So Atlas himself faints and scarce holds up his burden.
The ancient sculptor depicted Atlas supporting the sky on his shoulders in a magnificent statue.
Many stories describe Atlas as a giant who held the celestial spheres above him.

Compounds

Atlas Mountains

1 3.0

Mountain range in northern Africa between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert

star atlas

1 6.6

A book of maps that shows where stars and constellations are in the night sky

dialect atlas

Specialized

8.5

A collection of maps showing where different words and pronunciations are used

Atlas cedar

7.2

A tall evergreen tree from the Atlas Mountains with blue-green leaves often planted in parks and gardens

atlas moth

Indian

8.1

A very large moth from Asia with wide patterned wings often kept for its silk

atlas vertebra

Specialized

6.8

The top bone in the neck that supports the skull and lets the head nod

Attacus atlas

Specialized

9.9

A very large moth from Asia with very wide wings sometimes raised for silk

linguistic atlas

Specialized

7.2

A map or book of maps showing where local ways of speaking and words are used

Surface Forms

Atlas main

Etymology

Atlas is the name of a Titan in Greek myth who was punished by Zeus to 'carry' the sky on his shoulders. Because people imagined him holding the world, Atlas became a symbol of great strength and the name for a 'book of maps' that 'holds' the world on its pages.