taproot
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.tap·root
noun \-ˌrüt, -ˌru̇t\Definition of TAPROOT
1
: a primary root that grows vertically downward and gives off small lateral roots
2
: the central element or position in a line of growth or development
See Origin of TAPROOT
1tap
First Known Use: 1601
Rhymes with TAPROOT
afoot, barefoot, bigfoot, birthroot, Blackfoot, board foot, claw-foot, clubfoot, cocksfoot, coltsfoot, crow's-foot, cube root, enroot, forefoot, hard put, hotfoot, input, kaput, on foot, outfoot, output, prop root, Rajput, redroot, shot put, snakeroot, splayfoot, square root, squawroot, throughput, trench foot, uproot, webfoot
taproot
noun (Concise Encyclopedia)Main root of a primary-root system. It grows vertically downward. From the taproot arise smaller lateral roots (secondary roots), which in turn produce even smaller lateral roots (tertiary roots). Most dicotyledonous plants (see cotyledon), such as dandelions, produce taproots. The system may be modified into a fibrous, or diffuse, system, in which the initial secondary roots soon equal or exceed the primary root in size and there is no well-defined single taproot. Fibrous root systems are generally shallower than taproot systems. Carrots and beets are tuberous roots modified from taproots.
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