arrowroot

noun ar·row·root \-ˌrüt, -ˌru̇t\

: a powdery substance that is made from the root of a tropical plant and that is used in cooking to make liquids thicker

Full Definition of ARROWROOT

a : any of a genus (Maranta of the family Marantaceae, the arrowroot family) of tropical American plants with tuberous roots; especially : one (M. arundinacea) whose roots yield an easily digested edible starch

b : any of several plants (as coontie) that yield starch

: starch yielded by an arrowroot

See arrowroot defined for English-language learners

See arrowroot defined for kids

First Known Use of ARROWROOT

1696

Rhymes with ARROWROOT

acre-foot, athlete's foot, bitterroot, cajeput, dorsal root, fescue foot, fibrous root, gingerroot, hand and foot, orrisroot, pussyfoot, puttyroot, tenderfoot, underfoot

ARROWROOT Defined for Kids

arrowroot

noun ar·row·root \ˈer-ō-ˌrüt, -ˌru̇t\

Definition of ARROWROOT for Kids

: an edible starch obtained from the roots of a tropical plant

Medical Dictionary

arrowroot

noun ar·row·root \ˈar-ō-ˌrüt, ˈar-ə-, -ˌru̇t\

Medical Definition of ARROWROOT

a : any plant of the genus Maranta; especially : one (M. arundinacea) whose roots yield an easily digested edible starch b : any of several plants (as of the genera Zamia and Curcuma) that yield a similar starch

: starch yielded by an arrowroot