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Alcestis

American  
[al-ses-tis] / ælˈsɛs tɪs /

noun

  1. Classical Mythology. Also Alkestis 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.

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


Alcestis British  
/ ælˈsɛstɪs /

noun

  1. 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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Looking for a model for the dynamic and powerful Alcestis, they came up with Russell, in her role in the film “His Girl Friday.”

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2011

They found inspiration for both Alcestis and Admetus in Jerry Lewis’s and Elvis Presley’s self-created regality, and by watching YouTube videos of the Yiddish actor Solomon Mikhoels playing King Lear in the 1930s.

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2011

They were so impressed with Russell’s embodiment of a powerful woman that they asked Tymberly Canale, who plays Alcestis, to memorize her speech patterns.

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2011

Finally, a year ago, Bing and the Met beckoned, and last week before a packed house Soprano Farrell, 40, made her Met debut in an English version of Christoph Willibald von Gluck's Alcestis.

From Time Magazine Archive

His wife Alcestis offered to die for him.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton