atlas Definition

atlas
noun atlases

1. A book of maps and geographical charts.
2. A book of any other kind of charts.
3. anatomy.
In vertebrates: the topmost vertebra of the spine, which joins the skull to the spine and pivots on the axis vertebra, enabling nodding movements of the head to be made.

Etymology: 16c: in Greek mythology Atlas was a Titan who was condemned to support the sky on his shoulders, hence the application of his name to the vertebra, and in early collections of maps a representation of him often appeared as the frontispiece.