rice
rice
Pronunciation
/raɪs/.
/r/: This is a voiced alveolar approximant, similar to the "r" sound in "run."
/aɪ/: This is a diphthong, a gliding vowel sound that starts with an open "ah" sound and moves towards an "ee" sound, like the "i" in "light" or "my."
/s/: This is a voiceless alveolar fricative, the "s" sound in "sip" or "hiss."
Word Form Variations
Singular (mass noun): rice (e.g., "I ate some rice.")
Plural (mass noun): rice (e.g., "There are different types of rice.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A staple cereal grain, originating from the grass species Oryza sativa (Asian rice) or Oryza glaberrima (African rice), cultivated in warm climates throughout the world for its edible grains which are a primary food source for a large portion of the global population.
Synonyms: Grain (general), cereal, paddy (unmilled), pilaf (cooked dish)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms as it refers to a specific food item)
Definition: The plant itself, a type of grass, from which the edible grains are harvested.
Synonyms: Rice plant, paddy (in reference to the field/plant), Oryza sativa
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Definition: A prepared dish primarily consisting of cooked rice grains, often served as an accompaniment to other foods or as a main course with various additions.
Synonyms: Pilaf, risotto, paella (specific types of rice dishes), cooked rice, steamed rice
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms as it refers to a specific dish)
Verb (Rare/Specialized Use)
Definition: To process food by forcing it through a ricer, a utensil with small holes, resulting in a fine, fluffy, or mashed consistency, often applied to potatoes or other cooked vegetables.
Example: "She will rice the potatoes for a smoother texture."
Synonyms: Mash, purée, press
Antonyms: Chunk, lump, dice (as in to cut into large pieces)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He served the stew over a generous portion of fluffy white rice." (From The Martian by Andy Weir, February 2014)
"The cultivation of rice sustained the ancient civilizations of Asia for millennia." (From Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond, January 1997)
Newspapers:
"Global rice prices have surged due to supply chain disruptions and increased demand." (Reported in The Wall Street Journal)
"Farmers in the region are bracing for the monsoon, crucial for their rice paddies." (As seen in The Times of India)
Online Publications:
"Learn how to make perfect sticky rice every time with our step-by-step guide." (Featured on Serious Eats)
"The health benefits of brown rice include improved digestion and sustained energy." (From an article on Healthline)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (Cooking Show): "Now, we'll just rice these potatoes to get that smooth, creamy consistency for our gnocchi." (Heard on America's Test Kitchen, 2024 episode)
Music (Song Lyric): "And the wedding bells chime, and the guests throw the rice" (From the song "White Wedding" by Billy Idol, 1982)
Film: (Character in a documentary about farming) "The entire village depends on the rice harvest for their livelihood." (Observed in Our Planet, a Netflix documentary series, April 2019)
Video Game: (Item description) "A bag of long-grain rice – simple, but filling." (Found in Stardew Valley, a video game, 2016 release)
General Public Discourse:
"Do you prefer basmati rice or jasmine rice with your curry?" (Heard in a casual conversation at a dinner party)
"We need to buy more rice; we're running low in the pantry." (Common household discussion)
10 Quotes Using Rice
"One grain of rice can tip the scale. One man can make a difference." (From the Disney film Mulan, June 1998)
"If you want to know what it is to be a human being, then try to make a bowl of perfect rice." (Attributed to Shunryu Suzuki)
"He who plants rice believes in spring." (Chinese Proverb)
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. But teach a man to grow rice, and you feed his village." (A variation of a famous proverb, often attributed to Lao Tzu)
"A single grain of rice will not make a heap." (Malay Proverb)
"When you have rice, you don’t think about meat. When you have meat, you don’t think about rice." (Vietnamese Proverb)
"We don't get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief, and then you die, you know? So this is what we do. We've got to make it good. Don't bullshit yourself. Don't bullshit anybody else. Just make a great thing. And we're not talking about a lot of money. We're talking about a grain of rice." (Attributed to Steve Jobs)
"Man cannot live on rice alone." (A common adaptation of the biblical phrase "Man shall not live by bread alone.")
"The first rule of successful living is that you can't eat your cake and have it too. The second rule is that you can't eat your rice and save it too." (A lesser-known variation of a common idiom.)
"Even a tiny grain of rice can crack a tooth if bitten too hard." (Japanese Proverb)
Etymology
The word "rice" has a fascinating journey through various languages before reaching English.
It ultimately comes from an ancient Indo-Iranian root, specifically from a word that meant something like "rice" or "paddy." From there, it traveled into Greek as óryza, which referred to the plant or its grain.
The Greeks passed it on to the Latin language, where it became oryza as well.
During the Middle Ages, as trade and cultural exchange increased, this word made its way into Old French as ris or riz.
Finally, from Old French, it was adopted into Middle English around the 13th century, initially appearing as ris or ryse.
The first known use in English, with its current meaning of the cereal grain, dates back to this Middle English period. Its meaning has remained remarkably consistent over centuries, always referring to the staple food and the plant it comes from. So, essentially, the word we use today has a direct lineage back to ancient words for this very important grain.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Rice
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "rice," or related concepts when direct "rice" idioms are scarce:
To throw rice: To toss grains of rice at a newly married couple, a traditional symbol of fertility and good fortune.
Rice and beans: A common phrase referring to simple, staple foods, often implying a basic or frugal lifestyle.
Plain rice: Refers to uncomplicated or unseasoned cooked rice; metaphorically, something basic or unadorned.
A grain of rice: Emphasizes something very small or insignificant, yet potentially crucial (as in "a single grain of rice can tip the scale").
Rice paddy: A flooded field where rice is grown; often used to evoke an image of Asian agricultural landscapes.
To rice potatoes: A cooking technique where cooked potatoes are pushed through a ricer to make them light and fluffy.
Rice paper: A thin, edible paper made from rice, used in various cuisines. (This is more a compound noun than a true idiom, but common enough to include.)
As common as rice: (Original phrase) Suggesting something is extremely widespread or ordinary.
To spill the rice: (Original phrase, analogous to "spill the beans") To reveal a secret or unintended information, perhaps in a less common usage.
More numerous than grains of rice: (Original phrase) Describing an uncountable multitude.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of rice from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
