bacchanalian
/,bækə'neiljən/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Characterized by or involving drunken, wild, and unrestrained merrymaking: Describes an event, atmosphere, or person associated with excessive drinking and riotous celebration, often in a group setting. This term evokes the ancient Roman festivals of Bacchus, the god of wine.
Usage
- The adjective "bacchanalian" is used to modify nouns describing events, parties, nights, or behavior. It carries a literary or formal tone and often implies a loss of inhibitions and orderly conduct due to excessive alcohol consumption. It is not typically used for casual social drinking.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The party descended into a bacchanalian frenzy, with guests dancing on tables and singing loudly.
- He wrote about the bacchanalian excesses of the emperor's court.
- After the championship win, the streets were filled with bacchanalian revelry.
Advanced Usage
- "Bacchanalian rites/feast/festival": Refers specifically to celebrations reminiscent of the ancient Roman festivals in honor of Bacchus (Dionysus in Greek mythology), characterized by ecstatic and uninhibited behavior.
- The novel describes the secret bacchanalian rites held in the forest.
Variants and Related Words
- Bacchanal (noun):
- A follower of Bacchus; a drunken reveler.
- He was a regular bacchanal at the tavern.
- A wild, drunken party or orgy.
- The mansion was known for hosting infamous bacchanals.
- Bacchanalia (noun, often capitalized): The ancient Roman festival of Bacchus; by extension, any drunken feast or orgy.
- The celebration turned into a modern-day Bacchanalia.
Synonyms
- Orgiastic: Involving wild, drunken, or sexual revelry.
- Carousing: Engaged in boisterous, drunken merrymaking.
- Dionysian: Relating to the sensuous, spontaneous, and emotional aspects of human nature (from Dionysus, the Greek equivalent of Bacchus).
- Debauched: Indulging in sensual pleasures to a degree perceived as morally corrupt.
Antonyms
- Sober: Not affected by alcohol; serious and restrained.
- Sedate: Calm, dignified, and unhurried.
- Abstemious: Not self-indulgent, especially when eating and drinking.
Idioms and Phrases
- A bacchanalian revel: A fixed phrase emphasizing a wild, drunken celebration.
- The film depicted the emperor's birthday as a bacchanalian revel of epic proportions.
Adjective
- used of riotously drunken merrymaking
- a night of bacchanalian revelry
- carousing bands of drunken soldiers
- orgiastic festivity