maenad

[ mee-nad ]

noun

1. bacchante.
2. a frenzied or raging woman.

maenad

/ ˈmiːnæd /

noun

1. classical myth a woman participant in the orgiastic rites of Dionysus; bacchante
2. a frenzied woman

Derived Forms

• maeˈnadically, adverb
• maeˈnadic, adjective
• ˈmaenadism, noun

Other Words From

• mae·nadic adjective
• maenad·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maenad¹

1570–80; < Latin Maenad- (stem of Maenas ) < Greek Mainás a bacchante, special use of mainás madwoman

Word History and Origins

Origin of maenad¹

C16: from Latin Maenas, from Greek mainas madwoman

Example Sentences

Ms. Pasternak had met Mr. Reynolds years earlier, when she curated his work at a gallery in Hartford, Conn., and appeared as a one of the maenads in “The Banquet.”

From New York Times

In high school I frequently conflated the Furies with maenads, female worshippers of Dionysus who whipped themselves into a primal ecstasy before ripping apart a sacrifice, be it a bull or a man.

From Salon

Their only chance for survival is if Diane can undo what modernity has done to them in turning their rightful maenad madness into mere home-improvement mania.

From New York Times

Other mythological figures, like cupids, maenads and satyrs, also appeared in the public part of the house “as though part of a Dionysian retinue,” he said, referring to the Greek god of wine and revelry.

From New York Times

Like maenads, they set upon men who have wandered onto the property, giving chase, “their bare arms are covered with scratches, their legs streaked with rainwater.”

From New York Times