maenad

[mee-nad]

noun

bacchante.
a frenzied or raging woman.

Origin of maenad

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

Related formsmae·nad·ic, adjectivemae·nad·ism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for maenad

Historical Examples of maenad

These were the eyes of a girl who had raved like a maenad the night through.
A Thorny Path [Per Aspera], Complete
Georg Ebers
Maenad: a frenzied Nymph, attendant on Dionysus in the Greek mythology.
The Golden Treasury
Various
Her eye gleamed: she ran to the cupboard and took out the Maenad's dress.
The History of David Grieve
Mrs. Humphry Ward
I was in a mind to wring the Maenad's neck three minutes ago.
The History of David Grieve
Mrs. Humphry Ward
But that statue will put it all right,' and she pointed behind her to the Maenad.
The History of David Grieve
Mrs. Humphry Ward

British Dictionary definitions for maenad

maenad

menad

noun

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

Derived Formsmaenadic, adjectivemaenadically, adverbmaenadism, noun

Word Origin for maenad

C16: from Latin Maenas, from Greek mainas madwoman

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for maenad

"Bacchante," 1570s, from Greek mainas (genitive mainados) "priestess of Bacchus," literally "madwoman," from stem of mainesthai "to rage, go mad" (see mania).