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.
RICEBIRD Rice"bird`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The Java sparrow. (b) The bobolink.
RICE-SHELL
Rice"-shell`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of small white polished marine shells of the genus Olivella.
RICH Rich, (rîch), a. [Compar. Richer (; superl. Richest.] Etym: [OE. riche, AS. rice rich, powerful; akin to OS. riki, D. rijk, G. reich, OHG. rihhi, Icel. rikr, Sw. rik, Dan. rig, Goth. reiks; from a word meaning, ruler, king, probably borrowed from Celtic, and akin to L. rex, regis, king, regere to guide, rule. sq. root283. See Right, and cf. Derrick, Enrich, Rajah, Riches, Royal.]
1. Having an abundance of material possessions; possessed of a large amount of property; well supplied with land, goods, or money; wealthy; opulent; affluent; — opposed to Ant: poor. "Rich merchants." Chaucer. The rich [person] hath many friends. Prov. xiv. 20. As a thief, bent to unhoard the cash Of some rich burgher. Milton.
2. Hence, in general, well supplied; abounding; abundant; copious; bountiful; as, a rich treasury; a rich entertainment; a rich crop. If life be short, it shall be glorious; Each minute shall be rich in some great action. Rowe. The gorgeous East with richest hand Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold. Milton.
3. Yielding large returns; productive or fertile; fruitful; as, rich soil or land; a rich mine.
4. Composed of valuable or costly materials or ingredients; procured at great outlay; highly valued; precious; sumptuous; costly; as, a rich dress; rich silk or fur; rich presents. Like to rich and various gems. Milton.
5. Abounding in agreeable or nutritive qualities; — especially applied to articles of food or drink which are high-seasoned or abound in oleaginous ingredients, or are sweet, luscious, and high- flavored; as, a rich dish; rich cream or soup; rich pastry; rich wine or fruit. Sauces and rich spices are fetched from India. Baker.