Tantalized

1 definition found

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

  Tantalize \Tan"ta*lize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tantalized}; p.
     pr. & vb. n. {Tantalizing}.] [From {Tantalus}: cf. F.
     tantaliser.]
     To tease or torment by presenting some good to the view and
     exciting desire, but continually frustrating the expectations
     by keeping that good out of reach; to tease; to torment.


     [1913 Webster]
  
           Thy vain desires, at strife
           Within themselves, have tantalized thy life. --Dryden.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: To tease; vex; irritate; provoke.
  
     Usage: {Tantalize}, {Disappoint}. To disappoint is literally
            to do away with what was (or was taken to be)
            appointed; hence the peculiar pain from hopes thus
            dashed to the ground. To tantalize, a much stronger
            term, describes a most distressing form of
            disappointment, as in the case of Tantalus, the
            Phrygian king. To tantalize is to visit with the
            bitterest disappointment -- to torment by exciting
            hopes or expectations which can never be realized.
            [1913 Webster]