rhapsody

Meaning

Noun

1. (historical) An epic poem, or part of one, suitable for uninterrupted recitation.
2. (broadly, sometimes) An exaggeratedly enthusiastic or exalted expression of feeling in speech or writing.
3. (broadly) An instrumental composition of irregular form, often incorporating improvisation.
4. (archaic, broadly) A random collection or medley; a miscellany; also, a confused string of stories, words, etc.
5. (broadly, obsolete, sometimes) A literary composition consisting of miscellaneous works.

Verb

1. (transitive) Synonym of rhapsodize.
2. (obsolete, rare, transitive) Synonym of rhapsodize.
3. (intransitive) Synonym of rhapsodize.

Synonyms

canto

exaggeration

fantasia

music

🎶

rapture

romance

ecstasy

rouldad

Translations

rapsodia

rapsodia

Rhapsodie

rhapsodie

rapsòdia

rapsódia

rapsodi

rapsodie

ραψωδία

rapsodie

rhapsody

Capriccio

الرابسودي

rapsode

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹæpsədi/

Etymology

Cognate with French: rhapsodie

Cognate with German: Rhapsodie

In summary

The noun is derived from Latin rhapsōdia (“part of an epic poem suitable for uninterrupted recitation”), from Koine Greek ῥαψῳδία (rhapsōidía, “part of an epic poem suitable for uninterrupted recitation; rigmarole”), Ancient Greek ῥαψῳδία (rhapsōidía, “composition or recitation of Epic poetry”), from ῥαψῳδός (rhapsōidós, “composer or performer of Epic poetry”) + -ῐ́ᾱ (-ĭ́ā, suffix forming feminine abstract nouns). Ῥαψῳδός (Rhapsōidós) is derived from ῥᾰ́πτω (rhắptō, “to sew”) (possibly from Proto-Indo-European *werb- (“to bend; to turn”)) + ᾠδή (ōidḗ, “ode; song”) (ultimately from Proto-Hellenic *awoidā́ (“song”)) + -ος (-os, suffix forming o-grade action nouns).
Sense 2.2 (“instrumental composition of irregular form”) probably developed from sense 2.1 (“exaggeratedly enthusiastic or exalted expression of feeling in speech or writing”), and both of these senses may have been influenced by rapture (“extreme excitement, happiness, or pleasure”), the latter being a quality associated with the senses. Sense 2.3 (“literary composition consisting of miscellaneous works”) is borrowed from Middle French rhapsodie (modern French rhapsodie), from Latin rhapsōdia: see above.
The verb is derived from the noun.
Cognates
* French rhapsodie (“instrumental composition of irregular form”)
* German Rhapsodie (“instrumental composition of irregular form”)