Word Origin & History
Bacchanal
1536, from L. bacchanalis "having to do with Bacchus" (Gk. Bakkhos), god of wine and revelry. His name is perhaps related to L. bacca "berry." Meaning "riotous, drunken roistering; orgy" is from 1711; Bacchanalia in this sense is from 1633, from the name of the Roman festival held in honor of Bacchus. Bacchae "female attendants of Bacchus" is from Gk. Bakkhai, pl. of Bakkhe.