maenad

American  

[mee-nad] / ˈmi næd /

noun

1. bacchante.

2. a frenzied or raging woman.

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maenad British  

/ ˈmiːnæd /

noun

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

2. a frenzied woman

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Other Word Forms

• maenadic adjective
• maenadically adverb
• maenadism noun

Etymology

Origin of maenad

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

It all depends on whether the will to forgive is stronger than the forces driving both fury and maenad: feeling and retribution.

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