rhea

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a large, fast-running, flightless bird native to South America, with long legs and three-toed feet

   The rhea sprinted across the Patagonian plain instead of trying to fly.

2. 2
   noun

   another name for ramie, an Asian plant cultivated for its strong textile fiber

   The mill blended rhea fiber with cotton to make a light fabric.

The bird name comes from New Latin Rhea, the genus name, taken from Greek Rhea, the name of a Titan goddess. The unrelated plant name for ramie comes from Assamese riha.

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