Rib"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A species of plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
with long, narrow, ribbed leaves; -- called also rib grass, ripple
grass, ribwort plantain.
-ric (?). [AS rce kingdom, dominion. See Rich.] A suffix signifying
dominion, jurisdiction; as, bishopric, the district over which a bishop
exercises authority.
Rice (?), n. [F. riz (cf. Pr. ris, It. riso), L. oryza, Gr. &?;&?;&?;,
&?;&?;&?;, probably from the Persian; cf. OPers. brzi, akin to Skr.
vrhi; or perh. akin to E. rye. Cf. Rye.] (Bot.) 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.
Rice"bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) The Java sparrow. (b) The bobolink.
Rice"-shell` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small white
polished marine shells of the genus Olivella.
Rich, (rch), a. [Compar. Richer (&?;); superl. Richest.] [OE. riche,
AS. rce rich, powerful; akin to OS. rki, D. rijk, G. reich, OHG. rhhi,
Icel. rkr, 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. √283. 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 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.