Main Entry: at·las

Pronunciation: \ˈat-ləs\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin Atlant-, Atlas, from Greek

Date: 1513

1 capitalized : a Titan who for his part in the Titans' revolt against the gods is forced by Zeus to support the heavens on his shoulders
2 capitalized : one who bears a heavy burden
3 a : a bound collection of maps often including illustrations, informative tables, or textual matter b : a bound collection of tables, charts, or plates
4 : the first vertebra of the neck
5 plural usually at·lan·tes \ət-ˈlan-(ˌ)tēz, at-\ : a male figure used like a caryatid as a supporting column or pilaster —called also telamon

[atlas illustration]