Noun: silenus sI'lee-nus
- Any of the minor woodland deities who were companions of Dionysus (similar to the satyrs)
"The ancient vase depicted a silenus dancing with nymphs"
- The chief satyr in the service of Bacchus; father of Dionysus; usually depicted as drunk and jolly and riding a donkey
Derived forms: silenuses
Type of: forest god, Greek deity, satyr
Encyclopedia: Silenus