1. To show or to promise something that a person or animal undoubtedly wants, but then not allowing him, her, or it to have it: Little Jeffrey's parents really scolded him when he was tantalising and teasing their dog with some food which he never gave to it.

The smell of the meat cooking on the stove for the family's dinner tantalised their cat, but it wasn't permitted to eat any of it because there was canned food that was intended for it.
2. Etymology: from Greek, Tantalos, "the Bearer" or "the Sufferer," + -ize, "to form verbs."

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