rhubarb

rhu·barb

noun \ˈrü-ˌbärb\

Definition of RHUBARB

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 rhubarb

2

: 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 stomachic

3

: a heated dispute or controversy

Examples of RHUBARB

1. The coach got into a rhubarb with the umpire.
2. <a basketball coach whose ranting rhubarbs with officials are the stuff of legend>

Origin of RHUBARB

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to RHUBARB

Synonyms: altercation, argle-bargle [chiefly British], argy-bargy [chiefly British], battle royal, bicker, brawl, contretemps, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, donnybrook, falling-out, fight, hassle, imbroglio, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, argument, row, scrap, set-to, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle

Related Words: clash, run-in, skirmish, tangle, tussle; logomachy; feud, vendetta; attack, contention, dissension (also dissention); debate, difference, disputation; fuss, objection, protest, protestation; affray [chiefly British], fisticuffs, fracas, fray, free-for-all, melee (also mêlée); catfight

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Rhymes with RHUBARB

bicarb