rhapsody
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rhapsody
- /ˈɹæpsədi/ US, UK
Where it comes from
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”) + -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”)
noun rhapsodies
- An epic poem, or part of one, suitable for uninterrupted recitation.
- An exaggeratedly enthusiastic or exalted expression of feeling in speech or writing. Of course here Mr. Pen went off into a rhapsody through which, as we have perfect command over our own feelings, we have no reason to follow the lad. Of course, love, truth, and eternity were produced: and words were tried but found impossible to plumb the tremendous depth of his affection.
- An instrumental composition of irregular form, often incorporating improvisation.
- A random collection or medley; a miscellany; also, a confused string of stories, words, etc. Such an act / That blurs the grace and blush of modesty; / Calls virtue hypocrite; takes off the rose / From the fair forehead of an innocent love / And sets a blister there; makes marriage vows / As false as dicers' oaths; O, such a deed / As from the body of contraction plucks / The very soul, and
- A literary composition consisting of miscellaneous works.
verb rhapsodies · rhapsodying · rhapsodied
- To say (something) with exaggerated or rapturous enthusiasm.
- To perform (a rhapsody (“an epic poem, or part of one, suitable for uninterrupted recitation”))
- Followed by about, on, over, or upon: to speak with exaggerated or rapturous enthusiasm.
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: rhapsodizing, rhapsodization, rhapsoder, rhopalic, rhime, rhymer, recitatif, recit, rhythm royal, rhymester, recitative, rhyme, rhymemaster, rhyme royal, rhymery, rhymefest
Translations
Talk about this word "rhapsody." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/rhapsody. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. rhapsody. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/rhapsody "rhapsody." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/rhapsody.Cite this
@misc{rhapsody_2026,
title = {rhapsody},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/rhapsody},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
