rhapsody

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an intensely enthusiastic or emotional expression in speech or writing

   He launched into a rhapsody about the beauty of the city at dawn.

2. 2
   noun

   a free-form musical composition of strongly contrasting moods or ideas

   The orchestra performed a rhapsody built from several folk melodies.

3. 3
   noun

   an epic poem, or a section of one, intended for continuous recitation

   The scholar identified the passage as a rhapsody from the ancient epic.

Simplified etymology

Rhapsody comes from Greek rhaptein “to stitch,” and its earliest sense evoked words woven together. In the 16th century it denoted a long poem suitable for recitation, then a medley or collection, and later an enthusiastic expression of pleasure or approval. Its musical sense developed in the mid-19th century.

Through Latin rhapsodia from Greek rhapsodia, 'the composition or recitation of epic poetry,' from rhaptein, 'to stitch,' and oide, 'song.' The musical and emotional senses preserve the idea of an extended, freely assembled performance.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary