rye Hear it!

rye1 definition

rye (rī)

noun

  1. a hardy cereal grass (Secale cereale) widely grown for its grain and straw
  2. the grain or seeds of this plant, used for making flour and whiskey, and as feed for livestock
  3. ☆ whiskey distilled wholly or chiefly from this grain
  4. rye bread

Etymology: ME < OE ryge, akin to Ger roggen < IE base *wrughyo-, rye > Lith rugỹs, rye grain

rye2 definition

rye (rī)

noun

a Gypsy man or gentleman

Etymology: see Romany rye

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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