Atalanta

[ at-l-an-tuh ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. a virgin huntress who promised to marry the man who could win a footrace against her but lost to Hippomenes when she stopped to retrieve three golden apples of Aphrodite that he dropped in her path. Melanion.

Atalanta

/ ˌætəˈlæntə /

noun

1. Greek myth a maiden who agreed to marry any man who could defeat her in a running race. She lost to Hippomenes when she paused to pick up three golden apples that he had deliberately dropped

Word History and Origins

Origin of Atalanta¹

Latin, from Greek Atalántē

Example Sentences

Chelsea hung a clean sheet and finally broke through on a tough Atlético Madrid side, while Real Madrid had trouble scoring against 10 Atalanta men.

From FiveThirtyEight

Atalanta is a young princess, and her father has decreed she must marry whichever man wins a footrace.

From The Daily Beast

Parthonopee, Parthenopus, son of Meleager and Atalanta; another of the seven chiefs.

From Project Gutenberg

Atalanta, dear, do you know that we can only be happy by pleasing those we love most—that is what people live for, I think.

From Project Gutenberg

He called upon his mother and father, upon his sisters, and upon his loved Atalanta, but no one could save him from his fate.

From Project Gutenberg

None of them, however, succeeded in beating the fleet-footed Atalanta; and each man paid the price of defeat with his life.

From Project Gutenberg

Atalanta, having won fame and the spoils of a celebrated hunt, was now welcomed at her father's court and returned there to live.

From Project Gutenberg