from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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