atlas folio

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 tlh^nai to bear. See {Tolerate}.] 1. One who sustains a great burden. [1913 Webster]

2. (Anat.) The first vertebra of the neck, articulating immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of the head, whence the name. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

4. A volume of plates illustrating any subject. [1913 Webster]

5. A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from or arrangement; as, an historical atlas. [1913 Webster]

6. A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; -- called also {atlas folio}. [1913 Webster]

7. A drawing paper of large size. See under {Paper}, n. [1913 Webster]

{Atlas powder}, see {Atlas powder} in the vocabulary; a blasting compound containing nitroglycerin. [1913 Webster]