| 1. starchy substance obtained from the cassava root and used to thicken puddings and other foods. tapiocatap`i*oca , n. [braz. tapioka: cf. pg., sp. & f. tapioca.] a coarsely granular substance obtained by heating, and thus partly changing, the moistened starch obtained from the roots of the cassava. it is much used in puddings and as a thickening for soups. see: cassava.tapioca granular preparation of cassava starch used to thicken especially puddings |