root

A2
Pronunciation
/ɹuːt/
/ɹuːt/
Noun
19 definition(s)
1 Definition

The part of a plant, generally underground, that anchors and supports the plant body, absorbs and stores water and nutrients, and in some plants is able to perform vegetative reproduction.

Example Sentences
  • This tree's roots can go as deep as twenty metres underground.
2 Definition

A root vegetable.

3 Definition

The part of a tooth extending into the bone holding the tooth in place.

Example Sentences
  • Root damage is a common problem of overbrushing.
4 Definition

The part of a hair under the skin that holds the hair in place.

Example Sentences
  • The root is the only part of the hair that is alive.
5 Definition

The part of a hair near the skin that has not been dyed, permed, or otherwise treated.

Example Sentences
  • He dyed his hair black last month, so the grey roots can be seen.
6 Definition

The primary source; origin.

Synonyms
basis origin source
Example Sentences
  • The love of money is the root of all evil.
7 Definition

Of a number or expression, a number which, when raised to a specified power, yields the specified number or expression.

Example Sentences
  • The cube root of 27 is 3.
8 Definition

A square root (understood if no power is specified; in which case, “the root of” is often abbreviated to “root”).

Example Sentences
  • Multiply by root 2.
9 Definition

A zero (of an equation).

Synonyms
zero
Antonyms
pole
10 Definition

The single node of a tree that has no parent.

11 Definition

The primary lexical unit of a word, which carries the most significant aspects of semantic content and cannot be reduced into smaller constituents. Inflectional stems often derive from roots.

12 Definition

(philology) A word from which another word or words are derived.

Synonyms
etymon
13 Definition

The fundamental tone of any chord; the tone from whose harmonics, or overtones, a chord is composed.

14 Definition

The lowest place, position, or part.

15 Definition

In UNIX terminology, the first user account with complete access to the operating system and its configuration, found at the root of the directory structure; the person who manages accounts on a UNIX system.

Synonyms
root account root user superuser
Example Sentences
  • I have to log in as root before I do that.
16 Definition

The highest directory of a directory structure which may contain both files and subdirectories.

Example Sentences
  • I installed the files in the root directory.
17 Definition

A penis, especially the base of a penis.

18 Definition

An act of sexual intercourse.

Synonyms
screw shag
Example Sentences
  • Fancy a root?
19 Definition

A sexual partner.

Synonyms
screw
Verb
10 definition(s)
1 Definition

To grow roots; to enter the earth, as roots; to take root and begin to grow.

Example Sentences
  • The cuttings are starting to root.
2 Definition

To prepare, oversee, or otherwise cause the rooting of cuttings

Example Sentences
  • We rooted some cuttings last summer.
3 Definition

To be firmly fixed; to be established.

4 Definition

To get root or priviledged access on a computer system or mobile phone, often through bypassing some security mechanism.

Synonyms
jailbreak
Example Sentences
  • I want to root my Android phone so I can remove the preinstalled crapware.
5 Definition

To turn up or dig with the snout.

Example Sentences
  • A pig roots the earth for truffles.
6 Definition

(by extension) To seek favour or advancement by low arts or grovelling servility; to fawn.

7 Definition

To rummage; to search as if by digging in soil.

Synonyms
dig out root out rummage
Example Sentences
  • rooting about in a junk-filled drawer
8 Definition

To root out; to abolish.

9 Definition

To have sexual intercourse.

Synonyms
bang drill screw shag
10 Definition

(with "for" or "on") To cheer (on); to show support (for) and hope for the success of. (See root for.)

Synonyms
barrack cheer on
Example Sentences
  • I'm rooting for you, don't let me down!