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Glite Dictionary
redroot

redroot

1 9.9
A forest plant with a red root and small white flower used as medicine
  • noun
  • /ˈrɛdˌrut/
  • US
translation icon : sanguinaria
  • In early spring, the redroot begins to bloom with its delicate white flowers.

Examples

  • For redroot and starwort must have sprouted there by now.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • We were so depleted that by the end we were unable to pick more than a small bunch of redroot, putting the rest off until tomorrow.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • "What do we need redroot for?

    Fiction book (1996)

  • And I'll pick some redroot besides.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • I even cooked the redroot and ate some of it.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • In the meantime, we are stuffing redroot in our bags, being on the alert, however, so that we can take off in case of danger.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Now is the right time when redroot and purslane are sprouting.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Redroot is over there.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • "Look, the redroot is really huge!" My colleagues were awed, wondering how such a heavenly thing could be left untouched.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • While hiking in the woods, I discovered a patch of redroot growing near the stream.

Synonyms

bloodroot
vsredroot
  • US
1 9.9

A North American plant that has red root sap, a single white spring flower, and is used in traditional medicine

is an alternative common name that highlights the red root
Sanguinaria canadensis
vsredroot
  • Specialized
9.9

A woodland plant with a red root, a single lobed leaf, and a white spring flower

is the common English name used in ordinary speech
tetterwort
vsredroot
  • Archaic
9.9

A woodland plant with a red root and a single white early-spring flower used in traditional remedies

is the common English name not marked as an alternative

Surface Forms

redroot singular
redroots plural

Morphology

redroot = red + root (transparent) = red + root

A straightforward compound 'red' + 'root' referring to a plant characterised by a red-coloured root, which learners can readily infer.

Etymology

Redroot is a plain English name made from red and root, because the plant really has a bright red root and red sap. So the name gives a clear picture of the plant and helps you remember that people used its root in herbal medicine.