maenad

views updated May 23 2018

maenad in ancient Greece, a female follower of Bacchus, traditionally associated with divine possession and frenzied rites. Recorded from the late 16th century, the word comes via Latin from Greek Mainas, Mainad-, from mainesthai ‘to rave’.

Maenad

views updated May 23 2018

Maenad Bacchante. XVI. — L. Mænas, -ad- — Gr. Mainás, -ad-, f. maínesthai rave.