rhubarb: Meaning and Definition of

rhu•barb

Pronunciation: (r'bärb), [key]
— n.
  1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Rheum, of the buckwheat family, as R. officinale, having a medicinal rhizome, and R. rhabarbarum, having edible leafstalks.
  2. the rhizome of any medicinal species of this plant, forming a combined cathartic and astringent.
  3. the edible, fleshy leafstalks of R. rhabarbarum, used in making pies, preserves, etc.
  4. a quarrel or squabble.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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