rhapsody
[rap-suh-dee]
- 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.
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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. 2018
Related Words
tiraderhetoricharanguediatribeorationecstasyexaltationeuphoriaelationexhilarationcontentmentcommunionsetuppoetrywritingdramathemesymphonymusicarrangementExamples from the Web for rhapsody
Contemporary Examples
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.
Historical Examples
Your rhapsody, happy or not, will it not awaken the suspicions of De Chemerant?
A Romance of the West IndiesEugne Sue
During this rhapsody, her hand had been on the handle of the door.
The Midnight QueenMay Agnes Fleming
"Lots of girls are stage-struck," he said presently, breaking in on Mr. Martel's rhapsody.
QuinAlice Hegan Rice
I had been listening to this rhapsody with the greatest admiration, when just then Bittra came in.
My New CurateP.A. Sheehan
She can take a Hungarian rhapsody and turn it into a goulash in about 32 bars.
You Should Worry Says John HenryGeorge V. Hobart
rhapsody
- 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
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for rhapsody
n.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper