Orestes

[aw-res-teez, oh-res‐]

noun

Classical Mythology. the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, and the brother of Electra and Iphigenia: he avenged the murder of Agamemnon by killing Clytemenestra and her lover, Aegisthus, then was pursued by the Furies until saved by Athena.
(italics) a tragedy (408 b.c.) by Euripides.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for orestes

Historical Examples of orestes

Orestes also killed his mother; and we do not judge Orestes as we judge Nero.
Short Studies on Great Subjects
James Anthony Froude
And the little Orestes will wail, not knowing what he doeth, seeing he is but a babe.
Myths and Legends of All Nations
Various
Then Orestes would know the manner of the death by which he must die.
Myths and Legends of All Nations
Various
It was an Orestes whom his sister Electra was raising in her arms on his bed of pain.
The Gods are Athirst
Anatole France
She is married,” said Orestes, “to this Pylades, whom thou seest.
Famous Tales of Fact and Fancy
Various

British Dictionary definitions for orestes

Orestes

noun

Greek myth the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, who killed his mother and her lover Aegisthus in revenge for their murder of his father

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 orestes

Orestes

son of Agamemnon and Clytaemnestra, from Greek Orestes, literally "mountaineer," from oros "mountain" (see oread).

orestes in Culture

Orestes

[(aw-res-teez)]

In classical mythology, the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, and brother of Electra. Agamemnon was killed by Clytemnestra and her lover, Aegisthus. To avenge the murder, Orestes and Electra killed them both.