noun

1. a poem written to be sung
2. in modern use, a lyric poem, rhymed or unrhymed, typically addressed to some person or thing and usually characterized by lofty feeling, elaborate form, and dignified style

Etymology: Fr < LL oda < Gr ōidē, song, contr. < aoidē < aeidein, to sing < IE *aweid- < base *aw-, to speak > Sans vádati, (he) speaks