资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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 ? to bear. See {Tolerate}.]
   1. One who sustains a great burden.

   2. (Anat.) The first vertebra of the neck, articulating
      immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of
      the head, whence the name.

   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.

   4. A volume of plates illustrating any subject.

   5. A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from
      or arrangement; as, an historical atlas.

   6. A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; --
      called also {atlas folio}.

   7. A drawing paper of large size. See under {Paper}, n.

   {Atlas powder}, a nitroglycerin blasting compound of pasty
      consistency and great explosive power.