Definition

A woman who is part of the wild and frenzied followers of the Greek god Dionysus, often associated with ecstatic celebrations and rituals.

Example

The maenad danced wildly under the moonlight, lost in her devotion to Dionysus.

Conversation

Did you read that book about Greek mythology?

Yeah, it was fascinating! The part about the maenad was really intense.

I know, right? I didn't expect a woman to be so frenzied in that cult.

Exactly! It really showed how powerful their beliefs were.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Maenad** → The word 'maenad' comes from the Greek 'maenades' (meaning raving ones), which is derived from 'mainesthai' (meaning to be mad or to rave). Maenads were female followers of Dionysus, known for their ecstatic and frenzied behavior. The term describes these women who were in a state of divine madness, celebrating the god of wine and revelry.

Memory Tip

Imagine women in a state of ecstatic frenzy, 'raving' ('maenades') in honor of Dionysus. This helps you remember that a maenad is a woman who embodies this wild, ecstatic devotion.

Visually Confused Words