maenad

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A female follower of Dionysus (“the god of wine”), associated with intense revelling.
  2. An excessively emotional or wild woman.

Pronunciation

/ˈmiːnæd/ /ˈmaɪ-/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-maenad.wav /ˈmiˌnæd/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-maenad.wav

Word forms

maenad maenads maenades mænad menad

Etymology

From Latin Maenad- (“frenzied female follower of Bacchus”), root of Maenās, from Ancient Greek μαινάς (mainás, “raving, frantic”), from μαίνομαι (maínomai, “to be mad, to rage”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *men- (“to mind; to think; spiritual activity”).

Synonyms

Baccha bacchante Bassarid

Derived words

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