Definitions for: Atlas


[n] a figure of a man used as a supporting column
[n] the 1st cervical vertebra
[n] a collection of maps in book form
[n] (Greek mythology) a Titan who was forced by Zeus to bear the sky on his shoulders



Webster (1913) Definition: At"las, n.; pl. Atlases. [L. Atlas, -antis, Gr. ?, ?,
one of the older family of gods, who bears up the pillars of
heaven; also Mt. Atlas, in W. Africa, regarded as the pillar
of heaven. It is from the root of ? to bear. See Tolerate.]
1. One who sustains a great burden.

2. (Anat.) The first vertebra of the neck, articulating
immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of
the head, whence the name.

3. A collection of maps in a volume;

Note: supposed to be so called from a picture of Atlas
supporting the world, prefixed to some collections.
This name is said to have been first used by Mercator,
the celebrated geographer, in the 16th century.

4. A volume of plates illustrating any subject.

5. A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from
or arrangement; as, an historical atlas.

6. A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; --
called also atlas folio.

7. A drawing paper of large size. See under Paper, n.

Atlas powder, a nitroglycerin blasting compound of pasty
consistency and great explosive power.


At"las, n. [Ar., smooth.]
A rich kind of satin manufactured in India. --Brande & C.

Synonyms: atlas vertebra, book of maps, map collection, telamon

See Also: book of facts, cervical vertebra, column, dialect atlas, gazetteer, linguistic atlas, neck bone, pillar, reference, reference book, reference work, Titan

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