Rhubarb Definition

ro͝obärb
noun
Any of a genus (Rheum) of perennial, large-leaved plants of the buckwheat family; esp., the domestic pieplant (R. rhaponticum), having large, cordate leaf blades borne on long, thick stalks: the stalks are cooked into a sauce or baked in pies, but the blades are poisonous.
Webster's New World
The roots and rhizomes of various Asian rhubarbs, used as a cathartic.
Webster's New World
A heated discussion or argument.
Webster's New World
A word repeated softly to emulate background conversation. (see rhubarb rhubarb).
Wiktionary

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

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Rhubarb

Noun

Singular:
rhubarb
Plural:
rhubarbs

Origin of Rhubarb

  • Middle English rubarbe from Old French from Late Latin reubarbarum probably alteration (influenced by Greek rhēon) of rhabarbarum rha rhubarb (from Greek rhā) (perhaps from Rhā , the Volga River) Latin barbarum neuter of barbarus barbarian, foreign barbarous

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English rubarbe, from Old French, from Late Latin reubarbarum, from Latin Rha (“River Volga") (in the region from which the plant came to the Mediterraneum, cognate with New Latin Rheum) + barbarum (“barbarian")

    From Wiktionary

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