1. [n]  a figure of a man used as a supporting column
2. [n]  the 1st cervical vertebra
3. [n]  a collection of maps in book form
4. [n]  (Greek mythology) a Titan who was forced by Zeus to bear the sky on his shoulders

ATLAS is a 5 letter word that starts with A.

1. \At"las\, n.; pl. {Atlases}. [L. Atlas, -antis, Gr. ?, ?,
   one of the older family of gods, who bears up the pillars of
   heaven; also Mt. Atlas, in W. Africa, regarded as the pillar
   of heaven. It is from the root of ? to bear. See {Tolerate}.]
   1. One who sustains a great burden.
   2. (Anat.) The first vertebra of the neck, articulating
      immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of
      the head, whence the name.
   3. A collection of maps in a volume;
   Note: supposed to be so called from a picture of Atlas
         supporting the world, prefixed to some collections.
         This name is said to have been first used by Mercator,
         the celebrated geographer, in the 16th century.
   4. A volume of plates illustrating any subject.
   5. A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from
      or arrangement; as, an historical atlas.
   6. A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; --
      called also {atlas folio}.
   7. A drawing paper of large size. See under {Paper}, n.
   {Atlas powder}, a nitroglycerin blasting compound of pasty
      consistency and great explosive power.
   

2. \At"las\, n. [Ar., smooth.]
   A rich kind of satin manufactured in India. --Brande & C.
   

abbreviated test language for avionics systems