bacchian
|bac-chi-an|
/ˈbæk.i.ən/
Bacchus-related revelry
Etymology
'bacchian' originates from Latin via the proper name 'Bacchus,' ultimately from Greek 'Bakkhos' (Βάκχος), the name of the god of wine and frenzy.
'Bakkhos' in Greek became Latin 'Bacchus'; Late Latin formed adjectives such as 'Bacchianus' or 'Bacchicus' meaning 'of Bacchus,' which passed into English as 'bacchian' (and related forms) to denote things pertaining to Bacchus or his rites.
Initially it referred specifically to matters connected with the god Bacchus and his cult; over time it broadened to describe general drunken, orgiastic, or riotous revelry.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a participant in Bacchic rites or, more generally, a person given to riotous, drunken revelry (a follower or devotee of Bacchus).
Among the crowd were several bacchians who led the dancing around the altar.
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Adjective 1
relating to Bacchus (the Roman god of wine) or to Dionysian rites; pertaining to the worship or cult of Bacchus.
The scholars described the ancient rites as bacchian, full of symbolic offerings to the wine god.
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Last updated: 2025/12/24 16:54