E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Episode (3 syl.)
is the Greek epieis-odos (coming in besidesi.e. adventitious), meaning an adventitious tale introduced into the main story.
1
In music, an intermediate passage in a fugue, whereby the subject is for a time suspended.
2
In ordinary fugues it is usual to allow a certain number of bars to intervene from time to time, after which the subject is resumed. The intervening bars are called Episodes.Ouseley: Counterpoint, xxii. 169.