Word – Tantalise

Tantalise – Word of the day

Meaning:

torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable.

History:

It is believed to have originated from the greek word Tantalos which was the name of a king of Phrygia in Asia Minor. He was punished by the Gods for his misdeeds who made him stand in a river and over him were trees hanging with fruits. The water would move away every time he tried to drink and the fruits would become out of reach whenever he tried to eat them.

Usage:

Verb examples – tantalise:

1. She gazed at the diamond jewellery for a long time and tried to tantalise the jeweller that she would buy it.

2. The management failed in its attempts to tantalise the employees.

3. Oliver loved to tantalise his pet dog with bones.

Adjective examples – tantalise:

1. The tantalising smell of the dish, filled the restaurant

2.The waiter gave a tantalising look every time he carried a plate which fooled Rita that it was her order.

3.The police got tantalising clues which made them think they got closer to the suspect. 

Noun examples – tantalise:

1. The lottery is a tantaliser

2. Stock market tantalisers are there for ages

3. The movie makers made up the gossip which was a tantaliser.