ode
[ ohd ]
/ oʊd /
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noun
a lyric poem typically of elaborate or irregular metrical form and expressive of exalted or enthusiastic emotion.
(originally) a poem intended to be sung.
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Compare Horatian ode, Pindaric ode.
Origin of ode
1580–90; <Middle French <Late Latin ōda<Greek ōidḗ, contraction of aoidḗ song, derivative of aeídein to sing
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH ode
ode , owedOther definitions for ode (2 of 3)
-ode1
a suffix of nouns, appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “like”; used in the formation of compound words: phyllode.
Compare -oid.
Origin of -ode
1<Greek -ōdēs, probably generalized from adjectives describing smells, as kēṓdēs smelling like incense; base ōd- of ózein to smell, give off odor
Other definitions for ode (3 of 3)
-ode2
a combining form meaning “way,” “road,” used in the formation of compound words: anode; electrode.
Origin of -ode
2<Greek -odos, combining form of hodós
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use ode in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ode (1 of 3)
ode
/ (əʊd) /
noun
a lyric poem, typically addressed to a particular subject, with lines of varying lengths and complex rhythmsSee also Horatian ode, Pindaric ode
(formerly) a poem meant to be sung
Word Origin for ode
C16: via French from Late Latin ōda, from Greek ōidē, from aeidein to sing
British Dictionary definitions for ode (2 of 3)
-ode1
n combining form
denoting resemblancenematode
Word Origin for -ode
from Greek -ōdēs, from eidos shape, form
British Dictionary definitions for ode (3 of 3)
-ode2
n combining form
denoting a path or wayelectrode
Word Origin for -ode
from Greek -odos, from hodos a way
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for ode
-ode
suff.
Way; path:electrode.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cultural definitions for ode
ode
A kind of poem devoted to the praise of a person, animal, or thing. An ode is usually written in an elevated style and often expresses deep feeling. An example is “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” by John Keats.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.