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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.

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

In a long, pale gold dress, Ms. Canale embodies dignity as Queen Alcestis.

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

Nor was Alcestis improved by the Met's pseudo-Greek staging and top-heavy production featuring, among other banalities, steam puffing from Hades and two clumsy and amateurish ballets.

From Time Magazine Archive

He passes over also one of the most famous tales about Hercules, how he freed Alcestis from death, which was the subject of another of Euripides’ plays.

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