Main Entry: rhap·so·dy

Pronunciation: \ˈrap-sə-dē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural rhap·so·dies

Etymology: Latin rhapsodia, from Greek rhapsōidia recitation of selections from epic poetry, rhapsody, from rhapsōidos rhapsodist, from rhaptein to sew, stitch together + aidein to sing — more at ode

Date: 1542

1 : a portion of an epic poem adapted for recitation
2 archaic : a miscellaneous collection
3 a (1) : a highly emotional utterance (2) : a highly emotional literary work (3) : effusively rapturous or extravagant discourse b : rapture, ecstasy
4 : a musical composition of irregular form having an improvisatory character