a. and sb.; also 7 bachan-, 8 bacchin-. [f. L. bacchānāli-s, BACCHANAL + -AN.] A. adj.

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  1.  Of, connected with, or relating to Bacchanals.

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1622.  Paradox, in Harl. Misc., I. 267. Scarce sufficient to make a Bacchanalian sacrifice.

3

1623.  Cockeram, Bacchanalean frowes, Women-Bacchus-Priests.

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1816.  Gentl. Mag., LXXXVI. 4. An antique vase, with Bacchanalian masks.

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  2.  Characterized by, connected with, or given to drunken revelry; riotously drunken, roystering.

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1565.  Stow, Chron. (R.). Shamelesse drunken bacchanalian women.

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1609.  Dekker, Gul’s Hornebk. (1812), 21. Or else, haunting taverns, desires to take the bacchanalian degree.

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1750.  Johnson, Rambl., No. 71, ¶ 6. We are importuned by the bacchanalian writers to lay hold on the present hour.

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1878.  H. Stanley, Dark Cont., I. viii. 172. Began to chant in bacchanalian tones, a song that was tipsily discordant.

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  B.  sb. A bacchanal, a drunken reveller, a tippler.

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1617.  Assheton, Jrnl. (1848), 50. All this morning we plaid the bacchanalians.

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a. 1704.  T. Brown, To Yng. Lady, Wks. 1730, I. 66. Let Bacchanalians … Hunt out champagne.

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1870.  R. Anderson, Missions Amer. Board, II. iv. 28. In all the disorder of a troop of bacchanalians.

14

  Bacchanalianism, Bacchanalism, bacchanalian practices, drunken revelry. Bacchanalianly adv., with drunken revelry (in Webster, 1864).

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1855.  Scot. Rev., 267. To lend the power of his genius to bacchanalianism.

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1858.  Lady Wallace, Fredk. Gt., II. 214. Four years of bacchanalism … which the Count had passed.

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