TANTALUS CUP
\tˈantaləs kˈʌp], \tˈantaləs kˈʌp], \t_ˈa_n_t_a_l_ə_s k_ˈʌ_p]\
Sort: Oldest first
-
A philosophical toy, consisting of a siphon so adapted to a cup that the short leg being in the cup, the long leg may go down through the bottom of it. The siphon is concealed within the figure of a man, whose chin is on a level with the bend of the siphon. Hence, as soon as the water rises up to the chin of the image it begins to subside, so that the figure, like Tantalus in the fable, is unable to quench his thirst.
By Daniel Lyons
Word of the day
Platidiam
- An inorganic water-soluble platinum complex. After undergoing hydrolysis, it reacts DNA produce both intra interstrand crosslinks. These crosslinks appear to impair replication and transcription of DNA. The cytotoxicity cisplatin correlates with cellular arrest in G2 phase cell cycle.