Root Definition
ro͝ot, ro͝ot
rooted, rooting, roots
noun
roots
The part of a plant, usually below the ground, that lacks nodes, shoots, and leaves, holds the plant in position, draws water and nourishment from the soil, and stores food.
Webster's New World
Any underground part of a plant, as a rhizome.
Webster's New World
The attached or embedded part of a bodily structure, as of the teeth, hair, nails, or tongue.
Webster's New World
The source, origin, or cause of an action, quality, condition, etc.
Webster's New World
A lower or supporting part; base.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
rooted, rooting, roots
To begin to grow by putting out roots.
Webster's New World
To fix the roots of in the ground.
Webster's New World
To become fixed, settled, etc.
Webster's New World
To establish; settle.
Webster's New World
To cause (a cutting from a plant) to develop roots, as by placing in water or in sand, soil, etc.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
idiom
root and branch
- Utterly; completely:
The organization has been transformed root and branch by its new leaders.
American Heritage
by the roots
- completely, including the root
to pull up a weed by the roots
Webster's New World
root up
- to pull out by the roots; remove or destroy completely
Webster's New World
take root
- to begin growing by putting out roots
- to become settled or established
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Root
- root and branch
- by the roots
- root up
- take root
Origin of Root
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Middle English rot from Old English rōt from Old Norse wrād- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English wroten from Old English wrōtan
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Possibly alteration of rout
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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