rice

n. [ F. riz (cf. Pr. ris, It. riso), L. oryza, Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;, &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;, probably from the Persian; cf. OPers. brīzi, akin to Skr. vrīhi; 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 ]