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rhizome definition

rhi·zome (rī′zōm′)

noun

a creeping stem lying, usually horizontally, at or under the surface of the soil and differing from a root in having scale leaves, bearing leaves or aerial shoots near its tips, and producing roots from its undersurface

Etymology: ModL rhizoma < Gr rhizōma < rhizousthai, to take root < rhiza, root

Related Forms:

  • rhizomatous rhi·zom′a·tous (-zäm′ət əs, -zō′mət-) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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