Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Rice?

\Rice\, n. [F. riz (cf. Pr. ris, It. riso), L. oryza, Gr. ???, ???, probably from the Persian; cf. OPers. br[=i]zi, akin to Skr. vr[=i]hi; or perh. akin to E. rye. Cf. {Rye}.] (Bot.) A well-known cereal grass ({Oryza sativa}) and its seed. This plant is extensively cultivated in warm climates, and the grain forms a large portion of the food of the inhabitants. In America it grows chiefly on low, moist land, which can be overflowed. {Ant rice}. (Bot.) See under {Ant}. {French rice}. (Bot.) See {Amelcorn}. {Indian rice}., a tall reedlike water grass ({Zizania aquatica}), bearing panicles of a long, slender grain, much used for food by North American Indians. It is common in shallow water in the Northern States. Called also {water oat}, {Canadian wild rice}, etc. {Mountain rice}, any species of an American genus ({Oryzopsis}) of grasses, somewhat resembling rice. {Rice bunting}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Ricebird}. {Rice hen} (Zo["o]l.), the Florida gallinule. {Rice mouse} (Zo["o]l.), a large dark-colored field mouse ({Calomys palistris}) of the Southern United States. {Rice paper}, a kind of thin, delicate paper, brought from China, -- used for painting upon, and for the manufacture of fancy articles. It is made by cutting the pith of a large herb ({Fatsia papyrifera}, related to the ginseng) into one roll or sheet, which is flattened out under pressure. Called also {pith paper}. {Rice troupial} (Zo["o]l.), the bobolink. {Rice water}, a drink for invalids made by boiling a small quantity of rice in water. {Rice-water discharge} (Med.), a liquid, resembling rice water in appearance, which is vomited, and discharged from the bowels, in cholera. {Rice weevil} (Zo["o]l.), a small beetle ({Calandra, or Sitophilus, oryz[ae]}) which destroys rice, wheat, and Indian corn by eating out the interior; -- called also {black weevil}.