Bacchanal

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbækÉ™nÉ™l/

Alternative forms

• Bacchanal

Origin

From Latin Bacchānālis ("of or pertaining to Bacchus"). See Bacchanalia.

Full definition of bacchanal

Adjective

1. Relating to Bacchus or his festival.
• 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, I:Sweet is the vintage, when the showering grapes
  In Bacchanal profusion reel to earth,
  Purple and gushing ....
2. Engaged in drunken revels; drunken and riotous or noisy.

Noun

1. A devotee of Bacchus; one who indulges in drunken revels; one who is noisy and riotous when intoxicated; a carouser.
• Shakespeare:Tipsy bacchanals.
2. (in the plural) The festival of Bacchus; the bacchanalia.
3. Drunken revelry; an orgy.
4. A song or a dance in honor of Bacchus.