Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RYE, n. [Sax. ryge; D. rogge; G. rocken; Dan. rog or rug; Sw. råg or rog; W. rhyg. This word is the English rough.]

1. An esculent grain of the genus Secale, of a quality inferior to wheat, but a species of grain easily cultivated, and constituting a large portion of bread stuff.
2. A disease in a hawk. Ainsworth.