maenad
2 synonyms for maenad, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In Greek mythology, a female follower of Dionysus known for wild, ecstatic celebration.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
bacchante
Baccha
How to use maenad
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a maenad's dance
a frenzy of maenads
depicted as a maenad
The word belongs mainly to classical, literary and art-historical writing rather than everyday speech.
Etymology
The word comes from Latin, which took it from Ancient Greek mainas, meaning raving or frantic, itself from a verb meaning to rage or be mad. That verb traces back to an ancient root connected with the mind and mental activity.
Full origin of maenad →Frequently asked questions
What does maenad mean?
A maenad is a female follower of the god Dionysus in Greek mythology, associated with frenzied, ecstatic worship.
Where does the word maenad come from?
It comes via Latin from the Ancient Greek word for raving or frantic, related to a verb meaning to rage or be mad.
Is maenad the same as a bacchante?
Yes, bacchante is a recognised synonym for maenad, both referring to female followers of the wine god.
