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Glite Dictionary
Chinese rhubarb

Chinese rhubarb

8.9
A large plant from China with a root people use as a strong laxative
  • noun
  • /ˈtʃaɪniːz ˈruːbɑːrb/
translation icon : ruibarbo chino
  • The root of Chinese rhubarb has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Examples

  • Many herbalists value Chinese rhubarb for its effectiveness as a laxative.

  • Doctors sometimes prescribe Chinese rhubarb as a natural remedy for constipation.

  • I bought some Chinese rhubarb at the farmer's market.

  • The Chinese rhubarb leaves are quite large.

  • Doctors sometimes prescribe Chinese rhubarb as a natural remedy for constipation.

  • Many herbalists value Chinese rhubarb for its effectiveness as a laxative.

  • The root of Chinese rhubarb has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Synonyms

Rheum palmatum
vsChinese rhubarb
  • Specialized
9.8

A rhubarb plant from Asia that is used in traditional medicine to help people with constipation

is the same species but names the large leaved form from China and Tibet

Surface Forms

Chinese rhubarb singular
Chinese rhubarbs plural

Morphology

Chinese + rhubarb

The phrase is a straightforward composition of the adjective 'Chinese' (from China) and the noun 'rhubarb' (a type of plant), so its meaning — a variety/species of rhubarb associated with China — is directly derivable from the parts. This nationality + noun pattern is cross-linguistically common, so an average B1 learner who knows both words would understand the MWE.

Etymology

Chinese rhubarb is a large plant that comes from China and is like other kinds of rhubarb. Its root was used for a long time as a strong medicine to make people 'go to the toilet', so the plant is known today for its powerful 'laxative' effect.