arrowroot

American  

[ar-oh-root, -root] / ˈær oʊˌrut, -ˌrʊt /

noun

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

2. the starch itself.

3. any of several other plants yielding a similar starch.

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

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arrowroot British  

/ ˈærəʊˌruːt /

noun

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

2. the starch obtained from this plant

3. any of several other plants whose rhizomes or roots yield starch

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Etymology

Origin of arrowroot

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

Explanation

Arrowroot is a plant that's used to make a cooking starch also called arrowroot. Some soups and puddings are thickened with arrowroot. The plant known as arrowroot has small white flowers and fruit that resembles currants. Arrowroot is primarily grown for its root, though, which is washed, peeled, and beaten until all the starchy liquid comes out. When this liquid dries completely, it's the white powder you can find in the supermarket labeled arrowroot. The name allegedly comes from an old medicinal use of arrowroot, drawing poison from dart or arrow wounds.

Example Sentences

Whisk 1/4 cup unsweetened raw cashew butter with the arrowroot or cornstarch and water.

From Washington Post • Dec. 6, 2022

Many vegan ice cream recipes call for added starch, like arrowroot powder or cornstarch, but oat creamer, a relative newcomer to the alternative milk market, eliminates this need.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 26, 2022

It tends to be a little thicker and less salty than regular soy sauce, though the difference is minimal so you'll still need a thickener like cornstarch or arrowroot powder.

From Salon • May 9, 2022

“Had a bowl of cornflakes this morning,” I wrote in my Nationwide Building Society diary, “and 10 minutes later they were in the washbowl upstairs!! It’s Lucozade and arrowroot for me today!”

From The Guardian • Apr. 27, 2019

“There’s the other half of my arrowroot biscuit,” she said, and held it out in her round, fat fist.

From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers