Atlases

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Atlas \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 tlh^nai to bear. See
     {Tolerate}.]
     1. One who sustains a great burden.


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     2. (Anat.) The first vertebra of the neck, articulating
        immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of
        the head, whence the name.
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     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.
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     4. A volume of plates illustrating any subject.
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     5. A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from
        or arrangement; as, an historical atlas.
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     6. A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; --
        called also {atlas folio}.
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     7. A drawing paper of large size. See under {Paper}, n.
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     {Atlas powder}, see {Atlas powder} in the vocabulary; a
        blasting compound containing nitroglycerin.
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