Category:Rice

Rice, n. Etym: [f. riz (cf. Pr. ris, it. riso), l. oryza, gr. brizi, Akin to skr. vrihi; or perh. akin to e. rye. Cf. Rye.] (bot.)

Defn: 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. (zoöl.) Same as ricebird. -- rice hen (zoöl.), the florida gallinule. -- rice mouse (zoöl.), 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 (zoöl.), 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 (zoöl.), a small beetle (calandra, or sitophilus, Oryzæ) which destroys rice, wheat, and indian corn by eating out the Interior; -- called also black weevil.