root

¹root

noun, often attributive \ˈrüt, ˈru̇t\

Definition of ROOT

1

a : the usually underground part of a seed plant body that originates usually from the hypocotyl, functions as an organ of absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support, and differs from a stem especially in lacking nodes, buds, and leaves

b : any subterranean plant part (as a true root or a bulb, tuber, rootstock, or other modified stem) especially when fleshy and edible

2

a : the part of a tooth within the socket; also : any of the processes into which this part is often divided — see tooth illustration

b : the enlarged basal part of a hair within the skin

c : the proximal end of a nerve

d : the part of an organ or physical structure by which it is attached to the body <the root of the tongue>

3

a : something that is an origin or source (as of a condition or quality) <the love of money is the root of all evil — 1 Timothy 6:10(Authorized Version)>

b : one or more progenitors of a group of descendants —usually used in plural

c : an underlying support : basis

d : the essential core : heart —often used in the phrase at root

e : close relationship with an environment : tie —usually used in plural <they put down roots in a farming community>

4

a : a quantity taken an indicated number of times as an equal factor <2 is a fourth root of 16>

b : a number that reduces an equation to an identity when it is substituted for one variable

5

a : the lower part : base

b : the part by which an object is attached to something else

6

: the simple element inferred as the basis from which a word is derived by phonetic change or by extension (as composition or the addition of an affix or inflectional ending)

7

: the lowest tone of a chord (as C in a C minor chord) when the tones are arranged in ascending thirds

— root·ed \ˈrü-təd, ˈru̇-\ adjective

— root·ed·ness noun

— root·less \ˈrüt-ləs, ˈru̇t-\ adjective

— root·less·ness noun

— root·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of ROOT

1. Elm trees have shallow roots.
2. Pull weeds up by the roots so that they don't grow back.
3. You can tell that she dyes her hair blonde because her dark roots are showing.

Origin of ROOT

Middle English, from Old English rōt, from Old Norse; akin to Old English wyrt root, Latin radix, Greek rhiza

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to ROOT

Synonyms

cradle, font, fountain, fountainhead, origin, source, seedbed, spring, well, wellspring

Related Words

beginning, commencement, dawn, day one, genesis, get-go (also git-go), inception, incipience, incipiency, kickoff, launch, morning, nascence, nascency, onset, outset, start, threshold; baseline, first base, ground zero, square one

See Synonym Discussion at origin

Other Dentistry Terms

bridge, crown, tush

²root

verb

Definition of ROOT

transitive verb

1

a : to furnish with or enable to develop roots

b : to fix or implant by or as if by roots

2

: to remove altogether by or as if by pulling out by the roots —usually used with out <root out dissenters>

intransitive verb

1

: to grow roots or take root

2

: to have an origin or base

First Known Use of ROOT

14th century

³root

verb

Definition of ROOT

intransitive verb

1

: to turn up or dig in the earth with the snout : grub

2

: to poke or dig about

transitive verb

: to turn over, dig up, or discover and bring to light —usually used with out <root out the cause of the problem>

Origin of ROOT

alteration of wroot, from Middle English wroten, from Old English wrōtan; akin to Old High German ruozzan to root

First Known Use: 1532

⁴root

intransitive verb \ˈrüt also ˈru̇t\

Definition of ROOT

1

: to noisily applaud or encourage a contestant or team : cheer

2

: to wish the success of or lend support to someone or something

— root·er noun

Origin of ROOT

perhaps alteration of ²rout

First Known Use: 1889

Root

biographical name \ˈrüt, ˈru̇t\

Definition of ROOT

Elihu 1845–1937 Am. lawyer & statesman

Rhymes with ROOT

foot, put, root, soot

root

noun \ˈrüt, ˈru̇t\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ROOT

1

a : the usually underground part of a seed plant body that functions as an organ of absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support and that differs from a stem especially in lacking nodes, buds, and leaves b : any subterranean plant part (as a true root or a bulb, tuber, rootstock, or other modified stem) especially when fleshy and edible

2

a (1) : the part of a tooth within the socket (2) : any of the processes into which the root of a tooth is often divided b : the enlarged basal part of a hair within the skin—called also hair root c : the proximal end of a nerve; especially : one or more bundles of nerve fibers joining the cranial and spinal nerves with their respective nuclei and columns of gray matter—see dorsal root, ventral root d : the part of an organ or physical structure by which it is attached to the body <the root of the tongue>

—root·less \-ləs\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

Illustration of ROOT

root

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Structure of a root. The apical meristem is an area of actively dividing cells that forms all the …—© Merriam-Webster Inc.

In botany, the underground anchoring part of a plant. It grows downward in response to gravity, absorbs water and dissolved minerals, and stores reserve food. Primary root systems have a deep sturdy taproot (in gymnosperms and dicots; see cotyledon) plus secondary or lateral smaller roots, and root hairs. Grasses and other monocots produce a shallow diffuse mass of fibrous secondary roots. Additional support (e.g., in corn and orchids) comes from stem offshoots called adventitious, or prop, roots. Fleshy roots that store food may be modified taproots (e.g., carrots, turnips, and beets) or modified adventitious roots (e.g. cassava). Tubers such as the potato are modified, fleshy, underground stems, or rhizomes. Aerial roots arise from the stem and either pass for some distance through the air before reaching the soil or remain hanging in the air.