rhizome

rhi·zome

noun \ˈrī-ˌzōm\

Definition of RHIZOME

: a somewhat elongate usually horizontal subterranean plant stem that is often thickened by deposits of reserve food material, produces shoots above and roots below, and is distinguished from a true root in possessing buds, nodes, and usually scalelike leaves

— rhi·zo·mic \rī-ˈzō-mik, -ˈzä-\ adjective

Origin of RHIZOME

New Latin rhizomat-, rhizoma, from Greek rhizōmat-, rhizōma mass of roots, from rhizoun to cause to take root, from rhiza root — more at root

First Known Use: 1845

Rhymes with RHIZOME

airdrome, at-home, beachcomb, Beerbohm, bichrome, Bornholm, bring home, clay loam, cockscomb, coulomb, coxcomb, down-home, fall home, genome, group home, hot comb, megohm, Nichrome, radome, rest home, salt dome, shalom, sheet home

rhi·zome

noun \ˈrī-ˌzōm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of RHIZOME

: a usually horizontal subterranean plant stem that is distinguished from a true root in possessing buds, nodes, and usually scalelike leaves

rhizome

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Horizontal underground plant stem capable of producing the upward shoot and downward root systems of a new plant. This capability allows vegetative (asexual) propagation and enables plants to survive an annual unfavourable season underground. In some plants (e.g., water lilies, many ferns, and forest herbs), the rhizome is the only stem of the plant. In such cases, only the leaves and flowers are readily visible.