/sear"ee euhl/ , n.
1. any plant of the grass family yielding an edible grain, as wheat, rye, oats, rice, or corn.
2. the grain itself.
3. some edible preparation of it, esp. a breakfast food.
adj.
4. of or pertaining to grain or the plants producing it.
[ 1590-1600; Cerealis of, pertaining to CERES; see -AL 1 ]