rhapsodist

rhapsodist
rhapsodistic, adj.
/rap"seuh dist/, n.
1. a person who rhapsodizes.
2. (in ancient Greece) a person who recited epic poetry, esp. professionally.
[1640-50; < Gk rhapsoid(ós) rhapsodist (rhaps-, var. s. of rháptein to stitch, + -oid(e) ODE + -os n. suffix) + -IST]

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▪ ancient Greek reciter
Greek  Rhapsoidos,  plural  Rhapsoidoi,  
      any of the dramatic reciters of ancient Greece, dating from the 6th century BC. In the oral epic tradition, rhapsodists were preceded by Homeric singers (aoidoi) of their own epic songs and, like them, were musically accompanied on the lyre and aulos. To heighten dramatic effect, rhapsodists used a staff for symbolic gesturing. Their intonation of poetry probably involved a simple chant rather than a recognizable tune.

      Rhapsodists recited Homeric poems, but Plato implies in the Ion that their repertory may have included works by Hesiod and Archilochus. Rhapsodists became a chief feature of the annual Panathenaea festival in Athens. By the 3rd century BC they were incorporated with actors in the union of the Dionysiac artists. The Homerids (q.v.), who perpetuated Homer's works, were at one period rhapsodists.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Rhapsodist — Rhap so*dist, n. [From {Rhapsody}.] 1. Anciently, one who recited or composed a rhapsody; especially, one whose profession was to recite the verses of Hormer and other epic poets. [1913 Webster] 2. Hence, one who recites or sings poems for a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rhapsodist — [rap′sə dist] n. 1. RHAPSODE 2. a person who rhapsodizes …   English World dictionary

  • rhapsodist — noun Date: circa 1656 1. a professional reciter of epic poems 2. one who writes or speaks rhapsodically …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • rhapsodist — noun a) a rhapsode. b) One who rhapsodizes …   Wiktionary

  • rhapsodist — Synonyms and related words: Don Quixote, Meistersinger, Parnassian, Quixote, addict, arch poet, ballad maker, ballad singer, balladeer, balladmonger, bard, beat poet, bucoliast, bug, collector, daydreamer, demon, dreamer, dreamer of dreams, eager …   Moby Thesaurus

  • Rhapsodist — Rhap|so|dist der; en, en <zu ↑...ist> Verfasser von Rhapsodien …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • rhapsodist — rhap·so·dist || ræpsÉ™dɪst n. one who speaks very enthusiastically; composer of rhapsody; reciter of rhapsody …   English contemporary dictionary

  • rhapsodist — noun 1》 a person who rhapsodizes. 2》 a rhapsode …   English new terms dictionary

  • rhapsodist — rhap·so·dist …   English syllables

  • rhapsodist — rhap•so•dist [[t]ˈræp sə dɪst[/t]] n. 1) a person who rhapsodizes 2) anh (in ancient Greece) a person who recited epic poetry, esp. professionally …   From formal English to slang

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