Tantalus's cup (Physics), a philosophical toy, consisting of a cup,
within which is the figure of a man, and within the figure a siphon,
the longer arm of which passes down through the bottom of the cup, and
allows the escape of any liquid that may be poured in, when it reaches
as high as the bend of the siphon, which is just below the level of the
mouth of the figure in the cup.
Tan"ta*mount` (?), a. [F. tant so much (L. tantus) + E. amount.]
Equivalent in value, signification, or effect.
A usage nearly tantamount to constitutional right.
Hallam.
The certainty that delay, under these circumstances, was tantamount to
ruin.
De Quincey.
Tan"ta*mount`, v. i. To be tantamount or equivalent; to amount. [Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.
Tan*tiv"y (?), adv. [Said to be from the note of a hunting horn.]
Swiftly; speedily; rapidly; — a fox-hunting term; as, to ride tantivy.
Tan*tiv"y, n. A rapid, violent gallop; an impetuous rush. Cleverland.