Definition of "rhapsody"

(Ancient Greece, poetry, historical) An epic poem, or part of one, suitable for uninterrupted recitation.

(by extension)

1. (sometimes with a negative connotation) An exaggeratedly enthusiastic or exalted expression of feeling in speech or writing.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • 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.

     1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, The History of Pendennis. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850

2. (music) An instrumental composition of irregular form, often incorporating improvisation.  examples

3. (archaic) A random collection or medley; a miscellany; also, a confused string of stories, words, etc.  quotations

   Quotations

   • 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 sweet religion makes / A rhapsody of words!

     c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene iv], lines 41-48

   • This concerneth not those mingle-mangles of many kinds of stuffe, or as the Grecians call them Rapsodies, that for such are published […].

     1603, Michel de Montaigne, translated by John Florio, The Essayes […], London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […]

   • He, that makes no reflexions on what he reads, only loads his mind with a rhapsody of tales fit for the entertainment of others.

     a. 1705, John Locke, “Of the Conduct of the Understanding”, in Posthumous Works of Mr. John Locke: […], London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], published 1706, page 49

4. (sometimes with a negative connotation, obsolete) A literary composition consisting of miscellaneous works.

Synonym of rhapsodize

1. (transitive)

   1. To say (something) with exaggerated or rapturous enthusiasm.  examples

   2. (obsolete, rare) To perform (a rhapsody (“an epic poem, or part of one, suitable for uninterrupted recitation”))

2. (intransitive) Followed by about, on, over, or upon: to speak with exaggerated or rapturous enthusiasm.  examples