arrowroot

[ ar-oh-root, -root ]

/ ˈær oʊˌrut, -ˌrʊt /

Save This Word!

noun

a tropical American plant, Maranta arundinacea, the rhizomes of which yield a nutritious starch.

the starch itself.

any of several other plants yielding a similar starch.

the starch of these plants, used in cooking as a binder or thickener.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of arrowroot

First recorded in 1690–1700; so called from use of its root in treatment of wounds made by poisoned arrows

Words nearby arrowroot

arrondissement, arrow, arrow arum, arrowgrass, arrowhead, arrowroot, arrows, Arrowsmith, arrowwood, arrowworm, arrowy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use arrowroot in a sentence

This is an esculent resembling arrowroot, which they dig, pulverize, and use as flour.
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various
The arrowroot and another plant pushed up heaven, and "the heaven-pushing place" is still known and pointed out.
Myth, Ritual, and Religion, Vol. 1|Andrew Lang
He had not slept since his attack, and could take no other nourishment than a little broth and a spoonful or two of arrowroot.
Byron|Richard Edgcumbe
I prepared a little arrowroot, of which he took three or four spoonfuls, saying it was very good, but could take no more.
Byron|Richard Edgcumbe

The starchy materials generally used for this purpose are plain flour, browned flour, corn starch, and arrowroot flour.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 3|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

British Dictionary definitions for arrowroot

arrowroot

/ (ˈærəʊˌruːt) /

noun

a white-flowered West Indian plant, Maranta arundinacea, whose rhizomes yield an easily digestible starch: family Marantaceae

the starch obtained from this plant

any of several other plants whose rhizomes or roots yield starch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012