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Glite Dictionary
arrowroot family

arrowroot family

7.0
Tropical plants with thick, starchy roots often used for food
  • noun
translation icon : familia de arrurruz
  • The arrowroot family includes several plants valued for their edible starch-rich roots.

Examples

  • Many members of the arrowroot family are cultivated for their edible rhizomes.

  • Scientists are studying the arrowroot family for its potential in sustainable agriculture.

  • Many tropical regions cultivate members of the arrowroot family for food and medicinal purposes.

  • The arrowroot family includes various tropical herbs.

  • Many tropical regions cultivate members of the arrowroot family for their starchy rhizomes and culinary uses.

  • The arrowroot family consists of various perennial herbs known for their nutritious and edible roots.

  • Research shows that plants in the arrowroot family are important for both food production and natural remedies.

Synonyms

Marantaceae
vsarrowroot family
  • Specialized
9.9

Tropical plants with starchy underground stems that people grow for pretty leaves or edible roots

refers with a common descriptive name for the same family

Surface Forms

arrowroot family singular
arrowroot families plural

Morphology

arrowroot + family

The phrase simply combines a known plant name 'arrowroot' with 'family' in the sense of a scientific grouping, so the meaning 'the taxonomic group of plants related to arrowroot' is directly derivable from the parts. This noun+noun compositional pattern is common in English and cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand it.

Etymology

The name arrowroot family may come from a story about the plant arrowroot, which people long ago used on arrow wounds because its soft, starchy root seemed to help heal them. So today arrowroot family means a 'family' of plants with similar starchy roots, including arrowroot and its close relatives.