(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
"The gardener carefully dug around the oak tree's massive root system before transplanting it."
a number that, when multiplied by itself some number of times, equals a given number
"To solve for x in the equation where four times x squared equals sixteen, you first need to find the square root."
someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
"The family gathered to honor their African root, sharing stories of ancestors they had never met before."
a simple form inferred as the common basis from which related words in several languages can be derived by linguistic processes
"Linguists traced the word "mother" back to its ancient Indo-European root, revealing how diverse family terms across Europe share that same foundational element."
the embedded part of a bodily structure such as a tooth, nail, or hair
"The dentist pulled out the decayed root of my loose molar before placing the crown."
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.
"The term you are referring to is often used in slang but has no standard dictionary definition as an act of sexual intercourse; instead, it primarily means the part of a plant or something fundamental like a cause. If you need an example for actual slang usage rather than formal definitions, please note that such terms vary regionally and may not be appropriate for general reference materials."
An act of sexual intercourse.
In plain English: A root is the part of a plant that grows underground and absorbs water and nutrients from the soil.
"The garden needs water to help the roots grow strong."
plant by the roots
"He accidentally stepped on a dandelion and pulled it out of the ground by its roots."
become settled or established and stable in one's residence or life style
"He finally settled down"
cause to take roots
"The gardener carefully potted the seedlings and placed them in a sunny spot so they would root quickly."
To grow roots; to enter the earth, as roots; to take root and begin to grow.
"The entire stadium rose up to root for their team as they entered the final minutes of the game."
To turn up or dig with the snout.
To cheer (on); to show support (for) and hope for the success of. (See root for.)
In plain English: To root means to dig something out of the ground with your hands.
"The gardener dug out the old flower to remove its root from the pot."
Usage: Use this verb when describing plants physically anchoring themselves in soil or abstract ideas gaining acceptance within a community. Avoid confusing it with nouns like "root" (the plant part) unless you are explicitly discussing botanical growth processes.
An English surname, from Middle English from a byname from Middle English rote (“glad”).
"When I met my new neighbor at the community garden, he introduced himself as Root, and his family has been known by that name for generations."
The word "root" entered English from Old Norse rót, carrying its original meaning of the underground part of a plant. It is related to other Germanic words like the Danish rod and the Scots ruit.