Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Rice \Rice\, n. [F. riz (cf. Pr. ris, It. riso), L. oryza, Gr.
   ???, ???, probably from the Persian; cf. OPers. br[=i]zi,
   akin to Skr. vr[=i]hi; 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}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Ricebird}.

   {Rice hen} (Zo["o]l.), the Florida gallinule.

   {Rice mouse} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), a small beetle ({Calandra, or
      Sitophilus, oryz[ae]}) which destroys rice, wheat, and
      Indian corn by eating out the interior; -- called also
      {black weevil}.

Source : WordNet®

Zizania aquatica
     n : perennial aquatic grass of North America bearing grain used
         for food [syn: {wild rice}]