root
noun
1. (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
Definition categories: plant
2. the place where something begins, where it springs into being
- communism's Russian root
Similar word(s): beginning, origin, rootage, source
Definition categories: location, point
3. (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
Similar word(s): base, radical, stem, theme
Definition categories: communication, descriptor, form, signifier
4. a number that, when multiplied by itself some number of times, equals a given number
Definition categories: quantity, number
5. the set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation
Similar word(s): solution
Definition categories: group, set
6. someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
Similar word(s): ancestor, antecedent, ascendant, ascendent
Definition categories: person, relation, relative
7. a simple form inferred as the common basis from which related words in several languages can be derived by linguistic processes
Similar word(s): etymon
Definition categories: communication, descriptor, form, signifier
8. the embedded part of a bodily structure such as a tooth, nail, or hair
Definition categories: body, structure
Sentences with root as a noun:
- This tree's roots can go as deep as twenty metres underground.
- Root damage is a common problem of overbrushing.
- The root is the only part of the hair that is alive.
- He dyed his hair black last month, so the grey roots can be seen.
- The love of money is the root of all evil.
- The cube root of 27 is 3.
- Multiply by root 2.
verb
1. take root and begin to grow
- this plant roots quickly
Definition categories: change, grow
2. come into existence, originate
- The problem roots in her depression
Definition categories: stative, become
3. cheer for
- She roots for the Broncos
Definition categories: social, support
4. plant by the roots
Definition categories: contact, plant, set
5. dig with the snout
- the pig was rooting for truffles
Definition categories: contact, delve, dig
6. become settled or established and stable in one's residence or life style
Similar word(s): settle
Definition categories: change, stabilise, stabilize
7. cause to take roots
Definition categories: change, grow
Sentences with root as a verb:
- We rooted his box and planted a virus on it.
- A pig roots the earth for truffles.
- rooting about in a junk-filled drawer
- I'm rooting for you, don't let me down!