tantalus

Meaning

Noun

• A stork of the genus Mycteria (formerly Tantalus), especially the American wood stork, Mycteria americana.
• A stand in which to lock up drink decanters while keeping them visible.
• Something of an evasive or retreating nature, something consistently out of reach; a tantalising thing.

Origin

• , a Phrygian king in Greek mythology who was condemned to stand in a pool of water which receded every time he tried to drink, and with overhanging branches of fruit which pulled back whenever he tried to eat.