Otaheite arrowroot
- noun
- Archaic
:
arrurruz de Otaheite
- The baker used Otaheite arrowroot to thicken the delicate pudding.
Examples
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In some tropical regions, Otaheite arrowroot is favored for its smooth texture in desserts.
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She purchased a packet of Otaheite arrowroot at the specialty food store.
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I love using Otaheite arrowroot in my recipes.
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Have you ever tried Otaheite arrowroot pudding?
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In some tropical regions, Otaheite arrowroot is favored for its smooth texture in desserts.
-
The baker used Otaheite arrowroot to thicken the delicate pudding.
-
She purchased a packet of Otaheite arrowroot at the specialty food store.
Synonyms
1
6.8
A white starch that thickens sauces and desserts
A fine white starch from the root of a plant used to thicken food and ease stomach problems
Surface Forms
Morphology
Otaheite + arrowroot
This is a straightforward noun phrase combining a place-name (Otaheite) with a product noun (arrowroot); if a learner knows both constituents they can infer it denotes a variety or arrowroot originating from Otaheite (Tahit i). Such place‑name + product compounds are compositionally transparent and cross‑linguistically common, so the meaning is recoverable from the parts.
Etymology
Otaheite arrowroot gets its name from Otaheite (an old name for 'Tahiti') and arrowroot, the starchy root of the local 'pia' plant used in food. One popular story says people once used arrowroot on arrow 'wounds' to help them heal, so the image of a soft, healing powder helps explain why the name now means the cooking starch used to 'thicken' foods.