English Dictionary |
TAPROOT
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Dictionary entry overview: What does taproot mean?
• TAPROOT (noun)
The noun TAPROOT has 2 senses:
1. (botany) main root of a plant growing straight downward from the stem
2. something that provides an important central source for growth or development
Familiarity information: TAPROOT used as a noun is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
(botany) main root of a plant growing straight downward from the stem
Classified under:
Nouns denoting plants
Hypernyms ("taproot" is a kind of...):
root ((botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground)
Domain category:
botany; phytology (the branch of biology that studies plants)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Something that provides an important central source for growth or development
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Context example:
genius and insanity spring from the same taproot
Hypernyms ("taproot" is a kind of...):
germ; seed; source (anything that provides inspiration for later work)
Context examples
Here, in the City of London, was the taproot from which Empire and wealth and so many other fine leaves had sprouted.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
It has a strong taproot.
(Camellia sinensis, NCI Thesaurus)
Learn English with... Proverbs |
"The more cowherds there are, the worse the cows are looked after" (Breton proverb)
"The carpenter's door is loose." (Arabic proverb)
"He who has nothing will not eat. If you want flour, go gather chestnuts." (Corsican proverb)