Search results for 'root':

root¹ noun 1 a bot in vascular plants: the descending structure, lacking leaves and chlorophyll, that usually grows beneath the soil surface, and whose function is to anchor the plant in the soil and to absorb water and mineral nutrients; b loosely any of the branches of this structure; c a growing plant with its root; d as adj • root vegetable. 2 the part by which anything is attached to or embedded in something larger. 3 anatomy the embedded part of eg a tooth, hair, nail or similar structure. 4 a the basic cause, source or origin of something • the root of the problem; b as adj • the root cause. 5 (roots) a someone's ancestry or family origins; b someone's feeling of belonging, eg ethnically, culturally, etc, to a community or in a certain place • go back to one's roots. 6 linguistics the basic element in a word which remains after all affixes have been removed, and which may form the basis of a number of related words, eg love is the root of lovable, lovely, lover and unloved. See also stem¹. 7 math a factor of a quantity that, when multiplied by itself a specified number of times, produces that quantity, eg 2 is the square root of 4 and the cube root of 8. 8 math in an algebraic equation: the value or values of an unknown quantity or variable that represent the solution to that equation. Also called solution. 9 music in harmony: the fundamental note on which a chord is built. verb (rooted, rooting) 1 intrans to grow roots. 2 intrans to become firmly established. 3 (usually root something up or out) to dig it up by the roots. 4 to fix something with or as if with roots. 5 to provide something with roots. 6 tr & intr, Austral & NZ coarse slang to have sexual intercourse with someone. rootless adj 1 with no roots. 2 with no fixed home; wandering. rootlike adj. get to the root of something to find its underlying cause. root and branch thoroughly; completely. take or strike root 1 to grow roots. 2 to become firmly established.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon rot.

root² verb 1 intrans said especially of pigs: to dig up the earth with the snout in search of food. 2 intrans (usually root around or about) colloq to look for something by poking about; to rummage. 3 (usually root something out or up) to find or extract it by rummaging. rooter noun.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon wrotan, from wrot snout.

root³ verb (rooted, rooting) intrans (always root for someone) originally N Amer colloq to support them with loud cheering and encouragement.
ETYMOLOGY: 19c.