arrowroot

[ ar-oh-root, -roo t ]

/ ˈær oʊˌrut, -ˌrʊt /

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.

Origin of arrowroot

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

I undressed him and got him safely to bed, while Miss Williams prepared some arrowroot for his supper.

The Stark Munro Letters |J. Stark Munro
The aged and ferocious fire-eaters were sent back to their arrowroot and easy-chairs.

Romantic Spain |John Augustus O'Shea
I remember; you led that silly child Madge to believe that there was a fairy charm in the arrowroot you sent her.

Kenelm Chillingly, Complete |Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Cocoanut oil and arrowroot are also exported, being gathered by enterprising foreigners who employ the natives.

Under the Southern Cross |Maturin M. Ballou

Plant, I beg you, mignonette to encircle my arrowroot fields.

Sonnets from the Patagonian |Donald Evans

arrowroot

/ (ˈærəʊˌruːt) /

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