Tristan and Iseult

[ (tris-tuhn, tris-tahn, tris-tan; i-soohlt) ]


Two lovers in the legends of Britain and Ireland. A common version of their story is that Tristan brought the maiden Iseult from Ireland to Britain to be the bride of his uncle, King Mark. On the voyage they drank a potion that made them eternally in love with each other. When King Mark learned of their love, he banished Tristan. Tristan sent for Iseult as he was dying, but she arrived after his death and died herself beside his corpse.

Words Nearby Tristan and Iseult

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.