from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Rice \Rice\, n. [F. riz (cf. Pr. ris, It. riso), L. oryza, Gr.
???, ???, probably from the Persian; cf. OPers. br[imac]zi,
akin to Skr. vr[imac]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.
[1913 Webster]
{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}. (Zool.) Same as {Ricebird}.
{Rice hen} (Zool.), the Florida gallinule.
{Rice mouse} (Zool.), 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} (Zool.), 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} (Zool.), a small beetle ({Calandra oryzae}, or
{Sitophilus oryzae}) which destroys rice, wheat, and
Indian corn by eating out the interior; -- called also
{black weevil}.
[1913 Webster]