títan

Títan is a term that can refer to several distinct concepts depending on the context. In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities who ruled during the Golden Age, preceding the Olympians. They were the offspring of Uranus and Gaia and were eventually overthrown by their children, the Olympians, in a great struggle known as the Titanomachy. Prominent Titans include Cronus, Rhea, Oceanus, and Mnemosyne.

In astronomy, a titan is a celestial body that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, but has not cleared its neighboring region of planetesimals and is not a moon. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all possess moons that are considered titans. The most famous example is Saturn's moon Titan, which is unique for possessing a dense atmosphere and stable bodies of surface liquid.

The term titan can also be used metaphorically to describe a person or thing of exceptionally great size, strength, or importance. This usage draws from the mythological origins of the word, evoking the immense power and scale associated with the original Titans. For example, a colossal statue or a dominant figure in an industry might be referred to as a titan. The specific meaning is always derived from the surrounding information.