Pronunciation: [ɹˈuːbɑːb] (IPA) 
The word "rhubarb" has an unusual spelling due to its complicated pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈruːbɑːrb/. The initial "rh" in the word is silent, making the first sound "ru." The "u" sound is long, while the following "b" sound is as expected. The second "a" is also long, while the final "rb" is pronounced as "arb." Overall, the spelling of "rhubarb" accurately reflects its unique pronunciation.
Rhubarb, noun
1. A type of perennial edible plant belonging to the genus Rheum, characterized by large green or red stalks and large, triangular-shaped leaves. The stalks are typically cooked or used in desserts, while the leaves are poisonous and should not be consumed.
2. The thick, tart, and slightly fibrous stalks of the rhubarb plant, commonly used in cooking to add a tangy flavor to various sweet dishes, jams, pies, and sauces. Rhubarb stalks are often cooked with sugar or other sweeteners to balance their tartness.
3. A dessert or dish made with rhubarb, such as a rhubarb pie, crisp, or compote, where the tart stalks are combined with sugar, spices, and often other fruits to create a sweet and tangy filling.
4. Informally, rhubarb is also used to describe a heated or spirited argument or dispute, often characterized by noisy or chaotic exchanges. The term originates from the use of rhubarb in certain plays to create a murmur or background noise to simulate a crowd.
5. In sports, a rhubarb refers to a physical altercation or brawl between players or teams, typically involving pushing, shoving, or aggressive behavior on the field or court.
Overall, "rhubarb" refers to the plant, its stalks used in cooking and baking, related dishes, a heated argument, or a physical altercation in sports.
Any plant of the genus Rheum, especially R. rhaponticum, garden rhubarb, pie-plant, and R. officinale, or its rhizome, the drug rheum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
A plant, now grown abundantly in this country, whose foot-stalks are used in making tarts, &c., the root being used in medicine.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "rhubarb" has an interesting etymology. It originates from the Late Latin word "rheubarbarum", which itself is a combination of the Greek word "rha" meaning "rhubarb" and "barbarum" meaning "foreign". This is because rhubarb was initially imported to Europe from China, where it had been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.
In Greek, the word "rha" likely refers to the plant's rhizome or root, which is the part used for various purposes. Over time, as the plant became more widely known and cultivated in Europe, the word "rheubarbarum" evolved into "rhubarb" in English.
It is worth noting that the word "barbarum" here does not have the same meaning as the modern English word "barbarian".
