Main Entry:

rhu·barb

Pronunciation:

\ˈrü-ˌbärb\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English rubarbe, from Anglo-French reubarbe, from Medieval Latin reubarbarum, alteration of rha barbarum, literally, barbarian rhubarb

Date:

15th century

1: any of a genus (Rheum) of Asian plants of the buckwheat family having large leaves with thick succulent petioles often used as food ; also : the petioles of rhubarb2: the dried rhizome and roots of any of several rhubarbs (as Rheum officinale and R. palmatum) grown in China and Tibet and used as a purgative and stomachic3: a heated dispute or controversy