bacchanal
|bac-cha-nal|
/ˌbækəˈnæl/
wild revelry
Etymology
'bacchanal' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'Bacchanalia', which referred to festivals of the god 'Bacchus' (the Roman name for the Greek god of wine, 'Dionysus').
'bacchanal' changed from the Latin and late-Latin term 'Bacchanalia' (plural festival name) and from the Greek 'Bakkhai' (Βάκχαι, the female followers of Dionysus) and eventually entered English via Middle English and early-modern usage as 'bacchanal'/'bacchanalia'.
Initially, it meant 'festivals or rites honoring Bacchus (Dionysus)', but over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'wild, drunken revelry' or 'a person/occasion characterized by such revelry'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a wild, drunken party or revel; an orgy.
The countryside manor was the scene of a bacchanal that lasted until dawn.
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Noun 2
a person who participates in such riotous, drunken revelry.
He was known around town as a bacchanal who rarely stayed sober.
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Noun 3
(Regional, especially Caribbean) a noisy, large celebration, or a scandalous disturbance; can also mean trouble or uproar.
After the parade the streets erupted into a bacchanal of music and dancing.
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Adjective 1
pertaining to or characteristic of bacchanals; marked by drunken revelry and orgiastic behavior.
The novel described a bacchanal scene of feasting and abandon.
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Last updated: 2025/12/24 12:28