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taproot

noun
/ˈtæpˌɹuːt/US

Etymology

From tap + root. The oldest use (by Philemon Holland) is spaced as tap root. In the 18th and 19th centuries the standard spelling was tap-root.

  1. derived from *wréh₂ds✻ — “root”
  2. derived from *wrōts✻
  3. derived from rót
  4. inherited from rōt
  5. inherited from rote
  6. formed as taproot — “tap + root”

Definitions

  1. A long, tapering root, exhibited by many plant species (such as carrots and dandelions).

    • The taproots of trees like the false acacia, growing between Park Royal and Alperton, thrust deeply into the ground, while the spreading roots of the silver birch stitch the soil.
    • Above the lower headcut, phreatophytic mesquite and little leaf sumac hug the banks, drawing pendulate water from the silts remaining from former marsh deposits and sending long taproots into channel stores.
    • On the other hand, those who are compelled by a single strong desire are obsessed with a well-defined problem, which touches the taproot of their soul. They are on the attack, on the move.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for taproot. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA