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Rhapsody

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means an enthusiastic expression of feeling; a free musical piece

Where does the word "rhapsody" come from? It comes from Greek rhapsōidia, adopted directly into English (1540s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
rhapsōidia
Greek · ancient
"stitched song"
Greek, 'rhaptein', to stitch, plus 'ōidē', song: reciting epic poetry
2
Stage 2 of 2
rhapsody
English · 1540s
"epic recitation"
musical 'rhapsodies' date from the 1800s
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Rhapsody’s story begins in Greek: rhapsōidia meant “stitched song.” Greek, 'rhaptein', to stitch, plus 'ōidē', song: reciting epic poetry. It reached English by 1540s as rhapsody. Musical 'rhapsodies' date from the 1800s. Today, rhapsody means an enthusiastic expression of feeling; a free musical piece.