/at"leuhs/ , n. , pl. atlases for 1-3, atlantes /at lan"teez/ for 5.
1. a bound collection of maps.
2. a bound volume of charts, plates, or tables illustrating any subject.
3. Anat. the first cervical vertebra, which supports the head.
4. a size of drawing or writing paper, 26 × 34 or 33 inches.
5. Also called telamon . Archit. a sculptural figure of a man used as a column. Cf. caryatid .
[ 1580-90 in sense "prop, support"; as name for a collection of maps, said to be from illustrations of Atlas supporting the globe in early books of this kind ]