The word "menad" is a rare, archaic term that refers to a female follower of the ancient Greek god of wine and fertility, Dionysus. Its pronunciation is /ˈmɛnæd/, with the first syllable "men" pronounced like "men" in English, and the second syllable "ad" pronounced like "ad" in "sad." The spelling of "menad" is derived from the original Greek word "maenad," which is written as μαινάδα in Greek script. Despite its obscurity, "menad" remains an interesting linguistic relic that attests to the diverse history and mythology of the ancient Greeks.