rhubarb

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Any plant of the genus Rheum, especially Rheum rhabarbarum, having large leaves and long…

   Any plant of the genus Rheum, especially Rheum rhabarbarum, having large leaves and long green or reddish acidic leafstalks that are edible, in particular when cooked (although the leaves are mildly poisonous).

2. 2

   The leafstalks of common rhubarb or garden rhubarb (usually known as Rheum × hybridum),…

   The leafstalks of common rhubarb or garden rhubarb (usually known as Rheum × hybridum), which are long, fleshy, often pale red, and with a tart taste, used as a food ingredient; they are frequently stewed with sugar and made into jam or used in crumbles, pies, etc.

3. 3

   The dried rhizome and roots of Rheum palmatum (Chinese rhubarb) or Rheum officinale…

   The dried rhizome and roots of Rheum palmatum (Chinese rhubarb) or Rheum officinale (Tibetan rhubarb), from China, used as a laxative and purgative.

4. ›+ 10 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A Royal Air Force World War II code name for operations by aircraft (fighters and…

      A Royal Air Force World War II code name for operations by aircraft (fighters and fighter-bombers) involving low-level flight to seek opportunistic targets.

   2. 5

      A ditch alongside a road or highway.

      • Driving home yesterday, I almost hit the rhubarb.
   3. 6

      Of the colour of rhubarb

      Of the colour of rhubarb: either brownish-yellow (the colour of rhubarb rhizomes and roots used for medicinal purposes), or pale red (often the colour of the leafstalks of common rhubarb).

   4. 7

      Of fighter aircraft

      Of fighter aircraft: to fire at a target opportunistically.

   5. 8

      General background noise caused by several simultaneous indecipherable conversations,…

      General background noise caused by several simultaneous indecipherable conversations, which is created in films, stage plays, etc., by actors repeating the word rhubarb; hence, such noise in other settings.

      • It [the film The Picnic] wasn't actually a silent film; there were sound effects, but the dialogue was a rhubarb-ish series of grunts and mutters.
      • Back in the bedroom next door, the conversation is moving from subdued rhubarb to a cackle.
   6. 9

      Nonsense

      Nonsense; false utterance.

      • MADAME JOURDAIN: No, it’s all complete rhubarb. MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Dara dara bastonnara! He begins to dance and chant. MADAME JOURDAIN: Don’t think that’s going to make things any clearer.
      • People’s minds really serve up a lobar of rhubarb with the inner dialogue they tell themselves.
   7. 10

      An excited, angry exchange of words, especially at a sporting event.

      • Out in the bullpen, Chip Hilton and Soapy Smith had stopped throwing to watch the argument—what ballplayers call a "rhubarb."
      • Richie Ashburn slid into third, and Billy Cox, Dodger third baseman, made the tag, [Umpire Beans] Reardon yelled "safe" but raised his hand in the "out" sign. Naturally, a rhubarb.
   8. 11

      A brawl.

      • But damned if it don't seem like killin' him would stir up an even bigger political rhubarb. I mean, it ain't like nobody'd have to be told who did it.
   9. 12

      Of an actor in a film, stage play, etc.

      Of an actor in a film, stage play, etc.: to repeat the word rhubarb to create the sound of indistinct conversation; hence, to converse indistinctly, to mumble.

      • At Rick's side our local Liberal Party Chairman is smacking his yeoman's paws together and rhubarbing ecstatically in Rick's ear.
   10. 13

       To articulate indistinctly or mumble (words or phrases)

       To articulate indistinctly or mumble (words or phrases); to say inconsequential or vague things because one does not know what to say, or to stall for time.

The neighborhood

• neighborbarbarian