Rhapsode
/ˈræp.soʊd/noun
A professional reciter or performer of epic poetry, especially in ancient Greece.
Did you know?Ancient Greek rhapsodes performed epic poetry such as Homer’s works, often carrying a staff and presenting themselves as inheritors of an authorized poetic tradition.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
rhaptein
“To sew or stitch; the image later became metaphorical in poetic composition.”
Classical Greek
Greek
rhapsōidos
“A singer or reciter who “stitches” songs together; formed from rhaptein, “to stitch,” and aoidos, “singer.””
Classical Greek
Greek
rhapsōidein
“To recite or perform epic poetry.”
Late Antiquity
Greek/Latin
rhapsōidus / rhapsodus
“A reciter of epic verse; the term passed into learned Latin usage.”
16th Century
English
rhapsode
“An English term for an ancient Greek epic reciter.”
Modern English
English
rhapsode
“A professional or inspired performer of epic poetry, sometimes used more broadly for a lyrical reciter.”