What is "congee"

Congee \Con"gee\, n. & v. See Cong['e], Conge. [Obs.]

And unto her his congee came to take.
--Spenser.

Congee \Con*gee"\, n.

1. [Tamil ka[ncir]shi boilings.] Boiled rice; rice gruel.

2. A jail; a lockup. [India]

   Congee discharges, rice water discharges.
   --Dunglison.

   Congee water, water in which rice has been boiled.

early 14c., from Old French congié "permission, leave of absence, dismissal, ceremonial leave-taking" (Modern French congé), from Latin commeatus "passage, going to and fro," hence "leave of absence," from commeare, from com- "with, together" (see com-) + meare "to go, pass" (see mutable). Probably lost 17c. and revived 19c. from Modern French.

Etymology 1 alt. 1 (context obsolete English) Formal departure, ceremonial leave-taking. 2 (context archaic English) A bow. n. 1 (context obsolete English) Formal departure, ceremonial leave-taking. 2 (context archaic English) A bow. Etymology 2

alt. (context Asian cuisine English) A type of thick rice porridge or soup, sometimes prepared with vegetables and/or meat. n. (context Asian cuisine English) A type of thick rice porridge or soup, sometimes prepared with vegetables and/or meat.

1. n. a Chinese rice gruel eaten for breakfast [syn: jook]

2. v. depart after obtaining formal permission; "He has congeed with the King"

3. perform a ceremonious bow [syn: conge]

Congee ( British English: ; or conjee) is a type of rice porridge or gruel popular in many Asian countries. When eaten as plain rice congee, it is most often served with side dishes. When additional ingredients, such as meat, fish, and flavorings, are added while preparing the congee, it is most often served as a meal on its own, especially for the ill. Names for congee are as varied as the style of its preparation. Despite its many variations, it is usually a thick porridge of rice largely disintegrated after prolonged cooking in water.