rye
1 of 2noun (1)
ˈrī 
1
: a hardy annual grass (Secale cereale) that is widely grown for grain and as a cover crop
2
: the seeds of rye
3
: rye bread
4
: rye whiskey
rye
2 of 2noun (2)
: a male member of the Roma
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English ryge; akin to Old High German rocko rye, Lithuanian rugys
Noun (2)
borrowed from Welsh Romani raj "lord, gentleman," going back to an Old Indo-Aryan cognate of Sanskrit rā́jan- "king" — more at royal entry 1
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1851, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing rye
Kids Definition
rye
noun
ˈrī
: a hardy cereal grass grown especially for its edible seeds that are used in flour and animal feeds
Medical Definition
rye
noun
ˈrī
1
: a hardy annual grass (Secale cereale) that is widely grown for grain and as a cover crop
2
: the seeds of rye used for bread flour, whiskey manufacture, feed for farm animals (as poultry), and especially formerly in the roasted state as a coffee substitute
Geographical Definition
Rye
geographical name
ˈrī
town in East Sussex, southeastern England population 4800