Langimage
English

rhizome

|rhi/zome|

C1

🇺🇸

/ˈraɪˌzoʊm/

🇬🇧

/ˈraɪ.zəʊm/

underground stem

Etymology
Etymology Information

'rhizome' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'rhizōma,' where 'rhizoun' meant 'to cause to take root.'

Historical Evolution

'rhizōma' transformed into the Latin word 'rhizoma,' and eventually became the modern English word 'rhizome.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'root mass,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'underground stem.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a continuously growing horizontal underground stem that puts out lateral shoots and adventitious roots at intervals.

Ginger is a common example of a plant with a rhizome.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42