Defn: A composition irregular in form, like an improvisation; as,
Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsodies."
RHATANY; RHATANHY
Rhat"a*ny, Rhat"an*hy, n. Etym: [Sp. ratania, rataña, Peruv. rataña.]
Defn: The powerfully astringent root of a half-shrubby Peruvian plant
(Krameria triandra). It is used in medicine and to color port wine.
[Written also ratany.] Savanilla rhatany, the root of Krameria Ixina,
a native of New Granada.
RHEA
Rhe"a, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The ramie or grass-cloth plant. See Grass-cloth plant, under
Grass.
RHEA
Rhe"a, n. Etym: [L., a proper name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of three species of large South American ostrichlike birds of the genera Rhea and Pterocnemia. Called also the American ostrich.
Note: The common rhea, or nandou (Rhea Americana), ranges from Brazil to Patagonia. Darwin's rhea (Pterocnemia Darwinii), of Patagonia, is smaller, and has the legs feathered below the knee.
RHEAE
Rhe"æ, n.pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A suborder of struthious birds including the rheas.