IPA: /ˈruːtlaɪk/
KK: /rut-laɪk/
Something that looks like or has characteristics of a root, often referring to the structure or appearance of plants.
The plant had rootlike structures that helped it absorb water from the soil.
Rootlike → It is formed from "root" (from Old English "wēod", meaning the part of a plant that attaches it to the ground) and "-like" (meaning resembling or similar to). The word "rootlike" means resembling or similar to a root.
Think of something that is 'similar to' ('-like') a 'root' — that's why rootlike describes something that resembles a root.