root

Ⅰ.

root [1] ► NOUN 1) a part of a plant normally below ground, which acts as a support and collects water and nourishment. 2) the embedded part of a bodily organ or structure such as a hair. 3) (also root vegetable) a turnip, carrot, or other vegetable which grows as the root of a plant. 4) the basic cause, source, or origin: money is the root of all evil. 5) (roots) family, ethnic, or cultural origins. 6) (also root note) Music the fundamental note of a chord. 7) Linguistics a form from which words have been made by the addition of prefixes or suffixes or by other modification. 8) Mathematics a number or quantity that when multiplied by itself one or more times gives a specified number or quantity.

► VERB 1) cause (a plant or cutting) to establish roots. 2) (usu. be rooted) establish deeply and firmly. 3) (be rooted in) have as a source or origin. 4) (be rooted) stand immobile through fear or amazement. 5) (root out/up) find and get rid of. 6) Austral./NZ & Irish vulgar slang have sexual intercourse with.

● at root — Cf. ↑at root

● put down roots — Cf. ↑put down roots

● root and branch — Cf. ↑root and branch

● take root — Cf. ↑take root

DERIVATIVES rootless adjective.

ORIGIN Old English, related to WORT(Cf. ↑W).

Ⅱ.

root [2] ► VERB 1) (of an animal) turn up the ground with its snout in search of food. 2) rummage. 3) (root for) informal support enthusiastically.

ORIGIN Old English.