Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Tantalize
Tan′ta-lize
,Verb.
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.
Thy vain desires, at strife
Within themselves, have
Within themselves, have
tantalized
thy life. Dryden.
Syn. – To tease; vex; irritate; provoke.
–
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. Webster 1828 Edition
Tantalize
TAN'TALIZE
,Verb.
T.
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.
Thy vain desires, at strife
Within themselves, have tantaliz'd thy life.