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To tantalize is to annoy someone by offering them something they want and then withdrawing it. Tantalize is derived from the Greek myth of Tantalus, a son of Zeus. As a punishment he had to stand in water under a fruit tree. If he reached for food the branches lifted and if he bent down to drink the water receded.

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8y ago
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13y ago

it appears to be a very rare contraction of tantalisingly

just as tantizingly appears to be nearly as rare a contraction of tantalizingly

but the father of all these words appears to have been the character from ancient greek mythology named tantalos or in latin mythology tantalus who was the king of phrygia & son of Zeus punished in the afterlife for some not clearly remembered offense by being made to stand in a river up to his chin under branches laden with fruit all of which withdrew from his reach whenever he tried to eat or drink

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15y ago

'Tantalus', a man in Greek mythology who was punished by the gods, to be eternally hungry and thirsty, surrounded by food and drink that moved away when he tried to reach them.

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13y ago

Tanta

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Q: What is the origin of the word 'tantalize'?
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Related questions

Is there a noun form of tantalize?

The word tantalize has noun forms, a couple are tantalization and tantalizer.


Sample sentences using the word tantalize?

Lots of people dont know what tantalize means The word tantalize is made up of three syllables I would like you to spell tantalize. I'm gonna go ask Tanta... on second thought maybe I shouldn't, because tanta lies.


How is the word tantalize related to tantalus?

Tantalus was always tortured by food and water that was close to him but out of his grasp. Tantalize means to do what Tantalus had to suffer from.


Use tantalize in a sentence?

Tantalize me! The fan dancer was dressed to tantalize. The foraging method of the tarantula would tantalize anyone.


How do you use the word tantalize in a sentence?

The island women would tantalize the sailors on shore leave from their ships. The aroma of the chef's cuisine could tantalize even the most determined vegetarian.


What actors and actresses appeared in Tantalize - 2001?

The cast of Tantalize - 2001 includes: Dalila Ali Rajah as KoKo Janice Camp as Tantalize


Can you give me sentence for tantalize?

My older brother will tantalize me with candy if I don't do his chores for him


How do you use tantalize in a sentence?

My sisters would tantalize me because I might not have candy. The stage director said "Tantalize me!" to the starlet.


What word contains the letters N Z A A T E T I L?

Rearranged, it spells tantalize.


What book is first eternals or tantalize?

The book "Tantalize" by Cynthia Leitich Smith was published in February 2007, while the comic book "The Eternals" by Jack Kirby was first published in July 1976. So "The Eternals" came before "Tantalize."


What rhymes with tantalize?

Fantasize, size.


What are some great you words?

Tantalize