Definition of atlas
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
3a : a bound collection of maps often including illustrations, informative tables, or textual matterb : a bound collection of tables, charts, or plates
4 : the first vertebra of the neck
5 plural usually atlantesplay \ət-ˈlan-(ˌ)tēz, at-\ : a male figure used like a caryatid as a supporting column or pilaster —called also telamon
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Examples of atlas in a Sentence
a road atlas of the U.S.
Recent Examples of atlas from the Web
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Just last month, researchers released an atlas of more than 200 images from the Arctic and Antarctic seafloor showing the tracks of ancient glaciers.
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The book also includes a selection of 50 maps from previous competitions, arranged into a children’s atlas of the world.
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But data from the atlas has rendered the old maps not only obsolete but flat-out misleading.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'atlas'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History of atlas
In Greek mythology, giants ruled the world in an early age. Their rule was overthrown after a mighty battle with other gods. Atlas was one of these giants, and after their defeat, the story goes, he was forced to hold up the sky on his shoulders. In the 16th century, the Flemish mapmaker Gerardus Mercator published a collection of maps. On the title page he showed a picture of Atlas supporting his burden. Mercator gave the book the title Atlas. Later collections of maps included similar pictures of Atlas, and came to be called atlases.
Illustration of atlas
Origin and Etymology of atlas
Latin Atlant-, Atlas, from Greek
Other Cartography Terms
ATLAS Defined for English Language Learners
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Medical Dictionary
Biographical Note for atlas
Atlas,
, Greek mythological character. In Greek legend 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 the heavens or the celestial globe upon his shoulders.
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See words that rhyme with atlas Spanish Central: Translation of atlas Nglish: Translation of atlas for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of atlas for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atlas
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