I. ˈrīˌzȯid adjective
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary rhiz- + -oid
: resembling a root
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: rhiz- + -oid
: a rootlike structure: as
a. : one of the slender unicellular or multicellular filaments that attach the gametophyte of a fern, moss, or liverwort to the substrate and that function as absorptive organs
b. : a similar process in a thallophyte that often forms a specially differentiated basal holdfast — called also rhizina
c. : any of various processes of animals (as those by which a rhizocephalan attaches to its host)
• rhi·zoi·dal (ˈ)rī|zȯid ə l adjective