rhapsody

[rap-suh-dee]

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noun, plural rhap·so·dies.

Music. an instrumental composition irregular in form and suggestive of improvisation.

an ecstatic expression of feeling or enthusiasm.

an epic poem, or a part of such a poem, as a book of the Iliad, suitable for recitation at one time.

a similar piece of modern literature.

an unusually intense or irregular poem or piece of prose.

Archaic. a miscellaneous collection; jumble.

Origin of rhapsody

1535–45; < Latin rhapsōdia < Greek rhapsōidía recital of epic poetry, equivalent to rhapsōid(ós) rhapsodist + -ia -y³

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for rhapsody

tirade, rhetoric, harangue, diatribe, oration, ecstasy, exaltation, euphoria, elation, exhilaration, contentment, communion, setup, poetry, writing, drama, theme, symphony, music, arrangement

Examples from the Web for rhapsody

Contemporary Examples of rhapsody

Rhapsody: I have a soft spot for Rhapsody since I was on the founding team and still use it everyday for my on-demand music fix.
The 24 Apps on We Heart It CEO Ranah Edelin’s Home Screen
Ranah Edelin
February 11, 2014

Historical Examples of rhapsody

Your rhapsody, happy or not, will it not awaken the suspicions of De Chemerant?
A Romance of the West Indies
Eugne Sue
During this rhapsody, her hand had been on the handle of the door.
The Midnight Queen
May Agnes Fleming
"Lots of girls are stage-struck," he said presently, breaking in on Mr. Martel's rhapsody.
Quin
Alice Hegan Rice
I had been listening to this rhapsody with the greatest admiration, when just then Bittra came in.
My New Curate
P.A. Sheehan
She can take a Hungarian rhapsody and turn it into a goulash in about 32 bars.
You Should Worry Says John Henry
George V. Hobart

British Dictionary definitions for rhapsody

rhapsody

noun plural -dies

music a composition free in structure and highly emotional in character

an expression of ecstatic enthusiasm

(in ancient Greece) an epic poem or part of an epic recited by a rhapsodist

a literary work composed in an intense or exalted style

rapturous delight or ecstasy

obsolete a medley

Word Origin for rhapsody

C16: via Latin from Greek rhapsōidia, from rhaptein to sew together + ōidē song

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for rhapsody

1540s, "epic poem," from Middle French rhapsodie, from Latin rhapsodia, from Greek rhapsoidia "verse composition, recitation of epic poetry; a book, a lay, a canto," from rhapsodos "reciter of epic poems," literally "one who stitches or strings songs together," from rhaptein "to stitch, sew, weave" (see wrap (v.)) + oide "song" (see ode). Meaning "exalted enthusiastic feeling or expression" is from 1630s. Meaning "sprightly musical composition" is first recorded 1850s.