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| root [ root, rt ] |
noun (plural roots) |
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1. underground base of plant: the part of a plant that has no leaves or buds and usually spreads underground, anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients from the soil
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2. underground edible part of plant: an underground plant part that is used as a vegetable, e.g. a carrot or turnip
  diced roots
root crops
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3. attachment of body part: the portion of a body part such as a tooth or hair that is embedded in tissue
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4. base of something: the bottom or base of something, or the part by which something is attached to the body
the root of the tongue
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5. cause of something: the fundamental cause, basis, or essence of something, or the source from which something derives
the roots of discontent
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6. ancestor: an ancestor or progenitor, especially one from whom many people are descended
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7. mathematics number multiplied by itself: a number that when multiplied by itself a particular number of times equals another number
2 is the square root of 4.
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8. mathematics number substitutable for variable: a number that can take the place of the variable in an equation and solve the equation
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9. linguistics basic part of word: the basic meaningful part of a word that is left when any affixes are removed and that cannot be analyzed further
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10. linguistics original form of word: the original reconstructed form from which a recorded word is derived, e.g. by phonetic change or the addition of affixes
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11. music foundation of chord: the note that forms the foundation of a chord
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12. anatomy end of nerve: the end of a nerve that is nearer to the center of the body
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plural noun roots |
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1. origins: cultural or family origins, especially as the basis for a feeling of belonging in a particular place or environment
I live in the city but my roots are in the country.
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2. somebody's genetic origin: somebody's genetic origins or ancestry
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verb (past and past participle root·ed, present participle root·ing, 3rd person present singular roots) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb grow roots: to develop a root or roots, or cause a plant to grow roots
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2. transitive and intransitive verb be fixed: to become fixed, embedded, or immobile, or cause somebody or something to become fixed, embedded, or immobile
news that rooted me to the spot
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3. intransitive verb be based: to have a basis or origin in something
herbal remedies that are rooted in folk medicine
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| [Pre-12th century. < Old Norse rót< Indo-European, "branch, root"] |
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| root·er noun |
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root and branch in every respect, or to the fullest extent
reformed the system root and branch
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take root to become established and accepted
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