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rice

(Science: botany) 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.

(Science: botany) A small beetle (Calandra, or Sitophilus, oryzae) which destroys rice, wheat, and indian corn by eating out the interior.

Synonym: black weevil.

Origin: F. Riz (cf. Pr. Ris, It. Riso), L. Oryza, Gr, probably from the Persian; cf. OPers. Brizi, akin to Skr. Vrihi; or perh. Akin to E. Rye. Cf. Rye.