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