RHAPSODE

PRONUNCIATION: (RAP-sohd)

MEANING: noun: A professional reciter of poems.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin rhapsodia, from Greek rhapsoidia (recitation of epic poetry), from rhaptein (to stitch together) + aidein (to sing), from oide (song). Ultimately from the Indo-European root wed- (to speak), which also gave us parody, comedy, tragedy, melody, and ode. Earliest documented use: 1712.
_______________________________

RAPSODE - 1. a professional chanter of modern rapid-fire rhythmic poems;
2. an extraordinarily tentative participant in a poetry slam

RHAPSODA - the preferred drink at the slam

REAPSODE - a Harvest poet

RHAPISODE - one chapter in a serialized saga (think Homer's Odyssey)