DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 At·las n.; pl. Atlases
 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, see Atlas powder in the vocabulary; a blasting compound containing nitroglycerin.