[root] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE rot, fr. ON; akin to OE wyrt root, L radix, Gk rhiza] (12c) 1 a: the usu. underground part of a seed plant body that originates usu. from the hypocotyl, functions as an organ of absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support, and differs from a stem esp. in lacking nodes, buds, and leaves b: any subterranean plant part (as a true root or a bulb, tuber, rootstock, or other modified stem) esp. when fleshy and edible
2. a: the part of a tooth within the socket; also: any of the processes into which this part is often divided--see tooth illustration b: the enlarged basal part of a hair within the skin c: the proximal end of a nerve d: the part of an organ or physical structure by which it is attached to the body "the ~ of the tongue" 3 a: something that is an origin or source (as of a condition or quality) "the love of money is the ~ of all evil --1 Tim 6:10 (AV)" b: one or more progenitors of a group of descendants--usu. used in pl. c: an underlying support: basis d: the essential core: heart--often used in the phrase at root e: close relationship with an environment: tie--usu. used in pl.
4. a: a quantity taken an indicated number of times as an equal factor "2 is a fourth ~ of 16" b: a number that reduces an equation to an identity when it is substituted for one variable
5. a: the lower part: base b: the part by which an object is attached to something else
6: the simple element inferred as the basis from which a word is derived by phonetic change or by extension (as composition or the addition of an affix or inflectional ending) 7: the tone from whose overtones a chord is composed: the lowest tone of a chord in normal position syn see origin -- root.ed adj -- root.less adj -- root.less.ness n -- root.like adj
[2]root vt (14c) 1 a: to furnish with or enable to develop roots b: to fix or implant by or as if by roots
2: to remove altogether by or as if by pulling out by the roots--usu. used with out "~ out dissenters" ~ vi 1: to grow roots or take root
2: to have an origin or base [3]root vb [alter. of wroot, fr. ME wroten, fr. OE wrotan; akin to OHG ruozzan to root] vi (1532) 1: to turn up or dig in the earth with the snout: grub
2: to poke or dig about ~ vt: to turn over, dig up, or discover and bring to light--usu. used with out "~ out the cause of the problem" [4]root vi [perh. alter. of
[2]rout] (1889) 1: to noisily applaud or encourage a contestant or team: cheer
2: to wish the success of or lend support to someone or something -- root.er n