Bacchii

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term referring to the plural or related forms of a figure associated with wine and revelry in classical mythology; it can indicate multiple followers or representations linked to the god of wine
2. The pluralized concept associated with a deity known for vineyards and festive celebrations, often describing several manifestations or devotees in mythological contexts
3. Used to denote numerous aspects, characters, or spirits connected to the ancient god of intoxication and festivity, encompassing a group or collective in classical tales

Etymology: "Bacchii" is the plural of "bacchius," a term for a metrical foot in classical poetry made of one short syllable followed by two long ones (a pattern often written as ˘ ¯ ¯). The name comes from the god Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, because the foot was used in hymns sung to him. The poetic meter took its label from the devotional songs in which it appeared, so the foot is named after the god in the same way that many later technical terms take their names from a famous example. The plural form simply follows the Latin pattern for a noun ending in "-ius," so "bacchii" refers to more than one such foot. Its link to the god is therefore a matter of ritual song rather than of any sense of revelry carried by the metrical term itself.

Synonyms: bacchus, festivities, revelries, orgies, celebrations