rhapsodies

Variant of rhapsody

rhapsody definition

rhap·sody (rap′sə dē)

noun pl. rhapsodies -·dies

  1. in ancient Greece, a part of an epic poem suitable for a single recitation
  2. any ecstatic or extravagantly enthusiastic utterance in speech or writing
  3. great delight; ecstasy
  4. Obsolete a miscellany
  5. Music an instrumental composition of free, irregular form, suggesting improvisation

Etymology: Fr r(h)apsodie < L rhapsodia < Gr rhapsōidia < rhapsōidos, one who strings songs together, reciter of epic poetry < rhaptein, to stitch together (< IE *werp-, *wrep-, extension of base *wer-, to turn, bend > worm, wrap, ravel) + ōidē, song: see ode

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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