dithyramb Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a wildly enthusiastic speech or piece of writing
  2. noun (ancient Greece) a passionate hymn (usually in honor of Dionysus)

WordNet

Dith"y*ramb noun
Etymology
L. dithyrambus, Gr. a kind of lyric poetry in honor of Bacchus; also, a name of Bacchus; of unknown origin: cf. F. dithyrambe.
Definitions
  1. A kind of lyric poetry in honor of Bacchus, usually sung by a band of revelers to a flute accompaniment; hence, in general, a poem written in a wild irregular strain. Bentley.

Webster 1913