tap-root

The seedling's strong tap-root grows deep into the soil.

Definition

1. Noun (Botany):
   • A tap-root is the main, central root of a plant, growing vertically downward from which smaller lateral roots branch out. It serves to anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients from deeper soil layers.

Usage Examples

• (The main root is thick and grows straight down.)
• (The central root reaches deep underground.)

Advanced Usage

• "to develop a tap-root": to grow a strong central root system.

  • Young plants need deep, loose soil to develop a healthy tap-root. (To establish a deep main root.)

• "tap-root system": the root structure characterized by one dominant root.

  • The tap-root system of a walnut tree makes it difficult to transplant. (The root structure with a single main root.)

Variants and Related Words

• Taproot (n): alternative spelling of tap-root.
• Taprooted (adj): having a tap-root.
  • Taprooted weeds are hard to pull out completely. (Weeds with a central root.)

Synonyms

• Main root: the principal root of a plant.
• Primary root: the first root that emerges from a seed.

Related Idioms

• "Strike root": to become established, like a tap-root anchoring a plant.

  • The new traditions struck root in the community. (Became firmly established.)

• "Root and branch": completely; thoroughly.

  • The company was reformed root and branch. (Every part was changed, like a plant from its tap-root to its branches.)