arrowroot

English

/ˈæɹə(ʊ)ɹuːt/, /ˈæɹoʊˌɹut/

noun
Definitions
  • (countable) Maranta arundinacea from the Marantaceae family, a large perennial herb native to the Caribbean area with green leaves about 15 centimeters long.
  • (countable) Usually preceded by an word: some other plant the rhizomes of which are used to prepare a substance similar to arrowroot (sense 3), such as (Florida arrowroot) or Pueraria montana var. Pueraria montana var. lobata (Japanese arrowroot or kudzu).
  • (uncountable) A starchy substance obtained from the rhizomes of an arrowroot plant used as a thickener.

Etymology

Derived from Arawak aru-aru (meal of meals) compound from English arrow (projectile that is shot from a bow) + English root (dig up, cheer for).

Origin

English

root

Gloss

dig up, cheer for

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms