TAPROOT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 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 

• TAPROOT (noun)

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)