Atlas word meaning and definition

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

\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.

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