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rhea

(Science: botany) The ramie or grass-cloth plant. See Grass-cloth plant, under Grass.

(Science: ornithology) Any one of three species of large south American ostrichlike birds of the genera Rhea and Pterocnemia. Called also the American ostrich.

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.

Origin: L, a proper name.