Rice, n.

noun

n. [Fr. riz, ris, Pr. ris, It. riso, Sp. & Pg. arroz, Ar. aroz, aruz, Lat. oryza, Gr. ὄρυζα, ὄρυζον, H. Ger. reisz, L. Ger. ries, Sw. ris, Dan. riis, D. rijst.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Oryza, and its seed. There is only one species. This plant is cultivated in all 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. It is a light and nutritious food, and very easy of digestion.

Indian rice, a tall, reed-like water-grass (Zizania aquatica), bearing panicles of a long, slender grain, much used for food by the North American Indians. It is common in shallow water in the North-western States.—Called also water-oat, Canadian wild-rice, &c. Gray.

A botanical illustration of rice plants with stalks, leaves, and grain-bearing heads. — Rice.