Alcestis

[al-ses-tis]

noun

Also Alkestis. Classical Mythology. the wife of Admetus who gave up her life in order that the Fates might save the life of Admetus and later was brought back from Hades by Hercules.

(italics) a tragedy (438 b.c.) by Euripides.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for alcestis

Historical Examples of alcestis

The funeral of a rich person was to them what the funeral of Alcestis or Ophelia is to the educated.
Howards End
E. M. Forster
Read some of the "Alcestis" (Euripides) before going to bed.
Lost Diaries
Maurice Baring
But fairest of the fair, as the moon among stars, was Alcestis.
Children of the Dawn
Elsie Finnimore Buckley
Then he told him of his love for Alcestis, and how he could never hope to win her.
Children of the Dawn
Elsie Finnimore Buckley
Yet straightway he came and stood beside Alcestis, and took her hand in his.
Children of the Dawn
Elsie Finnimore Buckley

British Dictionary definitions for alcestis

Alcestis

noun

Greek myth the wife of king Admetus of Thessaly. To save his life, she died in his place, but was rescued from Hades by Hercules

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for alcestis

Alcestis

wife of Admetus, she offered her life for her husband and was rescued from the Underworld by Herakles, from Greek Alkestis, literally "valiant, courageous," from alke "protection, help, strength, power."