TANTALIZE, TANTALIZED, TANTALIZING, TANTALIZATION
ADJECTIVES
► TANTALEAN ► TANTALIAN tantalizing, elusive; pertaining to Tantalus; only apparently reachable → 1605
► TANTALIC tantalizing, only apparently reachable → 1882
NOUNS
► TANTALISM tantalization; punishment or torment like that of Tantalus (mythical king condemned, for revealing the secrets of the gods, to stand in Tartarus up to his chin in water, which constantly receded as he stooped to drink, and with branches of food hanging above him which ever fled his grasp)→ c1614 obs.
VERBS
► EAT THE AIR to be tantalized; to be ‘fed upon promises’ → 1597 obs.
► JADE to tantalize, to tease → 1906 Amer. dial.
Lexicophilia 