n.
Pronunciation: ' r ī - ˌ z ō m
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin rhizomat-, rhizoma, from Greek rhiz ō mat-, rhiz ō ma mass of roots, from rhizoun to cause to take root, from rhiza root ― more at ROOT
Date: 1845
: a somewhat elongate usually horizontal subterranean plant stem that is often thickened by deposits of reserve food material, produces shoots above and roots below, and is distinguished from a true root in possessing buds, nodes, and usually scalelike leaves
– rhi · zo · mic \ r ī - ' z ō -mik, - ' zä- \ adjective