Rhapsodies

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Rhapsody \Rhap"so*dy\, n.; pl. {Rhapsodies}. [F. rhapsodie, L.
     rhapsodia, Gr. "rapsw,di`a, fr. "rapsw,do`s a rhapsodist;
     "ra`ptein to sew, stitch together, unite + 'w,dh` a song. See
     {Ode}.]
     1. A recitation or song of a rhapsodist; a portion of an epic
        poem adapted for recitation, or usually recited, at one


        time; hence, a division of the Iliad or the Odyssey; --
        called also a {book}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A disconnected series of sentences or statements composed
        under excitement, and without dependence or natural
        connection; rambling composition. "A rhapsody of words."
        --Shak. "A rhapsody of tales." --Locke.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Mus.) A composition irregular in form, like an
        improvisation; as, Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsodies."
        [1913 Webster] Rhatany