Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Arrowroot \Ar"row*root`\, n.
   1. (Bot.) A west Indian plant of the genus {Maranta}, esp.
      {M. arundinacea}, now cultivated in many hot countries. It
      said that the Indians used the roots to neutralize the
      venom in wounds made by poisoned arrows.

   2. A nutritive starch obtained from the rootstocks of
      {Maranta arundinacea}, and used as food, esp. for children
      an invalids; also, a similar starch obtained from other
      plants, as various species of {Maranta} and {Curcuma}.

Maranta \Ma*ran"ta\, n. [NL.] (Bot.)
   A genus of endogenous plants found in tropical America, and
   some species also in India. They have tuberous roots
   containing a large amount of starch, and from one species
   ({Maranta arundinacea}) arrowroot is obtained. Many kinds are
   cultivated for ornament.