rhizome

[ rahy-zohm ]
/ ˈraɪ zoʊm /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR rhizome ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Botany.

a rootlike subterranean stem, commonly horizontal in position, that usually produces roots below and sends up shoots progressively from the upper surface.

Origin of rhizome

1835–45; < New Latin rhizoma < Greek rhízōma root, stem, noun of result from rhizoûn to fix firmly, take root, derivative of rhíza root1

OTHER WORDS FROM rhizome

rhi·zom·a·tous [rahy-zom-uh-tuh s, -zoh-muh-] /raɪˈzɒm ə təs, -ˈzoʊ mə-/, adjective

Words nearby rhizome

rhizocephalan, rhizocephalous, rhizoctonia, rhizogenic, rhizoid, rhizome, rhizomelia, rhizomeningomyelitis, rhizomorph, rhizomorphous, rhizophagous

Words related to rhizome

origin, heart, stuff, foundation, essence, soul, stem, source, seed, footing, groundwork, seat, motive, nub, ground, basis, provenance, germ, fountain, bedrock

Example sentences from the Web for rhizome

British Dictionary definitions for rhizome

rhizome
/ (ˈraɪzəʊm) /

noun

a thick horizontal underground stem of plants such as the mint and iris whose buds develop new roots and shoots Also called: rootstock, rootstalk

Derived forms of rhizome

rhizomatous (raɪˈzɒmətəs, -ˈzəʊ-), adjective

Word Origin for rhizome

C19: from New Latin rhizoma, from Greek, from rhiza a root

Scientific definitions for rhizome

rhizome
[ rī′zōm′ ]

A plant stem that grows horizontally under or along the ground and often sends out roots and shoots. New plants develop from the shoots. Ginger, iris, and violets have rhizomes. Also called rootstock Compare bulb corm runner tuber.