Definitions for Root

• Definition
• Anagrams (24)

Root root

Spelling: [root, roo t]

IPA: /rut, rʊt/

Root is a 4 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 4 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 4 points.

You can make 24 anagrams from letters in Root (oort).

Definitions for Root

noun

1. a part of the body of a plant that develops, typically, from the radicle and grows downward into the soil, anchoring the plant and absorbing nutriment and moisture.
2. a similar organ developed from some other part of a plant, as one of those by which ivy clings to its support.
3. any underground part of a plant, as a rhizome.
4. something resembling or suggesting the root of a plant in position or function:
5. the embedded or basal portion of a hair, tooth, nail, nerve, etc.
6. the fundamental or essential part: Synonyms: base, foundation, basic part, basic element.
7. the source or origin of a thing: Synonyms: beginning, rise, fount, fountainhead, spring, wellspring; derivation, originator.
8. a person or family as the source of offspring or descendants. Synonyms: parent, progenitor; ancestor(s), forebear(s), forefather.
9. an offshoot or scion.
10. Mathematics. Also called nth root. a quantity that, when raised to the nth power (multiplied by itself n times), produces a given quantity: a value of the argument of a function for which the function takes the value zero.
11. Computers. Also called root directory. the topmost directory of a hierarchical file system. the UNIX account, having the username “root,” that allows administrator privileges.
12. Grammar. a morpheme that underlies an inflectional or derivational paradigm, as dance, the root in danced, dancer, or ten-, the root of Latin tendere “to stretch.”. such a form reconstructed for a parent language, as *sed-, the hypothetical proto-Indo-European root meaning “sit.”.
13. roots. a person's original or true home, environment, and culture: the personal relationships, affinity for a locale, habits, and the like, that make a country, region, city, or town one's true home: personal identification with a culture, religion, etc., seen as promoting the development of the character or the stability of society as a whole.
14. Music. the fundamental tone of a compound tone or of a series of harmonies. the lowest tone of a chord when arranged as a series of thirds; the fundamental.
15. Machinery. (in a screw or other threaded object) the narrow inner surface between threads. Compare crest (def 18), flank (def 7). (in a gear) the narrow inner surface between teeth.
16. Australian Informal. an act of sexual intercourse.
17. Shipbuilding. the inner angle of an angle iron.
18. Elihu [el-uh-hyoo] /ˈɛl əˌhyu/ (Show IPA), 1845–1937, U.S. lawyer and statesman: Nobel Peace Prize 1912.
19. John Wellborn [wel-bern] /ˈwɛl bərn/ (Show IPA), 1851–91, U.S. architect.

Idioms

1. root and branch, utterly; entirely:
2. take root, to send out roots; begin to grow. to become fixed or established:

verb (used with object)

1. to fix by or as if by roots:
2. to implant or establish deeply:
3. to pull, tear, or dig up by the roots (often followed by up or out).
4. to extirpate; exterminate; remove completely (often followed by up or out): Synonyms: eradicate, eliminate, wipe out, obliterate.
5. Digital Technology. to gain access to the operating system of (a smartphone, tablet, gaming console, etc.), as to alter system files or settings. Compare jailbreak (def 3). to install a rootkit on (a computer, electronic device, etc.).
6. to turn over with the snout (often followed by up).
7. to unearth; bring to light (often followed by up).

verb (used without object)

1. to become fixed or established.
2. Digital Technology. to manipulate the operating system of a smartphone, tablet, etc. Compare jailbreak (def 4).
3. to turn up the soil with the snout, as swine.
4. to poke, pry, or search, as if to find something:
5. to encourage a team or contestant by cheering or applauding enthusiastically. Synonyms: cheer, cheer on, shout for, applaud, clap, boost, support.
6. to lend moral support: Synonyms: back, second; champion, advocate, favor, espouse.

Origin of Root

before 1150; (noun) Middle English; late Old English rōt Old Norse rōt; akin to Old English wyrt ‘plant’, wort², German Wurzel, Latin rādīx (see Examples for Root

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down.

He sat still, just lifting the root of his tail as you stroked him.

The root of the word irony is in the Greek eironeia, “liar.”

In short, the difficulty is not to fix people, but to root them up.

A Republican candidate hoping to win red state support could find a worse team to root for than one from Dallas.

The root of all evil is the desire to get money without earning it.

Speak to the friends and people you need to root out in life and let that conversation flow.

And not one of their suggestions seems to go to the root of the matter.

We must cultivate the noble virtues that have their root in pride.

Last summer, I spoke with first black supermodel Beverly Johnson about this for The root.