rhapsody

From Middle French rhapsodie, from Latin rhapsōdia, from Ancient Greek ῥαψῳδία (rhapsōidía, “to sew [songs] together”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɹapsədi/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɹæpsədi/

rhapsody (plural rhapsodies)

1. (poetry) An ancient Greek epic poem (or part of one) suitable for uninterrupted recitation.
2. (obsolete) A random collection or medley; a miscellany or confused string of stories, words etc.
   • 1603, John Florio, transl.; Michel de Montaigne, The Essayes, […], printed at London: By Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821:

     , vol.1, p.138:

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

3. An exalted or exaggeratedly enthusiastic expression of feeling in speech or writing.
4. (music) An instrumental composition of irregular form often incorporating improvisation.

• hopyards