Definition of root
1a : 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 leavesb : any subterranean plant part (such as a true root or a bulb, tuber, rootstock, or other modified stem) especially when fleshy and edible
2a : the part of a tooth within the socket; also : any of the processes into which this part is often divided — see tooth illustrationb : the enlarged basal part of a hair within the skinc : the proximal end of a nerved : the part of an organ or physical structure by which it is attached to the body the root of the tongue
3a : 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 (King James Version)b : one or more progenitors of a group of descendants —usually used in pluralc : an underlying support : basisd : the essential core : heart —often used in the phrase at roote : close relationship with an environment : tie —usually used in plural they put down roots in a farming community
4a : a quantity taken an indicated number of times as an equal factor 2 is a fourth root of 16b : a number that reduces an equation to an identity when it is substituted for one variable
5a : the lower part : baseb : 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 (such as composition or the addition of an affix or inflectional ending)
7 : the lowest tone of a chord (such as C in a C minor chord) when the tones are arranged in ascending thirds
8 computers : a level of access to a computer system that allows complete access to files on the system and complete control over the system's functions —usually used before another noun root user root directory
rootedness
nounrootlessness
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of root in a sentence
Elm trees have shallow roots.
Pull weeds up by the roots so that they don't grow back.
You can tell that she dyes her hair blonde because her dark roots are showing.
Origin and Etymology 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
Synonym Discussion of root
root
Definition of root
transitive verb
1a : to furnish with or enable to develop rootsb : 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
14th Century
First Known Use of root
14th century
root
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 and Etymology of root
alteration of wroot, from Middle English wroten, from Old English wrōtan; akin to Old High German ruozzan to root
First Known Use: 1516
Origin and Etymology of root
perhaps alteration of 2rout
First Known Use: 1889
Root
playDefinition of Root
Elihu 1845–1937 American lawyer and statesman
ROOT Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of root for English Language Learners
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: the part of a plant that grows underground, gets water from the ground, and holds the plant in place
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: the part of a tooth, hair, fingernail, etc., that is attached to the body
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: the cause or source of something
ROOT Defined for Kids
Definition of root for Students
1 : the leafless underground part of a plant that absorbs water and minerals, stores food, and holds the plant in place
2 : the part of something by which it is attached The tooth's root is anchored in bone.
3 : source 1 Money is the root of all evil.
4 : the ancestors of a person or group of people
5 : a special relationship They have roots in the community.
6 : 1core 3 We finally got to the root of the problem.
7 : a word or part of a word from which other words are obtained by adding a prefix or suffix The word “hold” is the root of “holder.”
rooted
\ˈrü-təd, ˈru̇-\ adjectiveDefinition of root for Students
rooted
;rooting
1 : to form or cause to form roots The seedlings rooted quickly.
2 : to attach by or as if by roots He was rooted to his chair.
root out
: to remove by or as if by pulling out the roots The mayor promised to root out crime.
Definition of root for Students
rooted
;rooting
: to turn up or dig with or as if with the snout She rooted in her desk for a pen.
Definition of root for Students
rooted
;rooting
: to wish for the success of We're rooting for the underdog.
rooter
nounMedical Dictionary
Medical Definition of root
1a: 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 leavesb: any subterranean plant part (as a true root or a bulb, tuber, rootstock, or other modified stem) especially when fleshy and edible
2a (1): the part of a tooth within the socket (2): any of the processes into which the root of a tooth is often dividedb: the enlarged basal part of a hair within the skin—called also hair rootc: 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 rootd: the part of an organ or physical structure by which it is attached to the body the root of the tongue
Illustration of root
Law Dictionary
Learn More about root
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for root Spanish Central: Translation of root Nglish: Translation of root for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of root for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about root
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