Bacchant
/ˈbæk.ænt/noun
A devotee or worshipper of Bacchus, especially one engaged in wild, frenzied revelry.
Did you know?The word comes from Bacchus, and in ancient ritual language it named people caught up in ecstatic, near-trance worship — which is why it still sounds half-religious, half-dangerous.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Βάκχος (Bákchos)
“A name/title of Dionysus, the god of wine, ecstasy, and ritual frenzy.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Bacchās, Bacchant-
“A worshipper or follower of Bacchus; also used of frenzied celebrants.”
Late Latin
Latin
bacchari
“To rave, to celebrate wildly, to act in Bacchic frenzy.”
Middle French
French
bacchant
“A Bacchic reveler or devotee.”
16th Century
English
bacchant
“A person, especially a woman, participating in wild Bacchic revelry; a devotee of Bacchus.”
Modern English
English
bacchant
“A devotee or reveler in Bacchic, drunken, or ecstatic celebration.”