(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
The ~s of a plant are the parts of it that grow under the ground.
...the twisted ~s of an apple tree.
N-COUNT: usu pl
2.
If you ~ a plant or cutting or if it ~s, ~s form on the bottom of its stem and it starts to grow.
Most plants will ~ in about six to eight weeks...
Root the cuttings in a heated propagator.
VERB: V, V n
3.
Root vegetables or ~ crops are grown for their ~s which are large and can be eaten.
...~ crops such as carrots and potatoes.
ADJ: ADJ n
4.
The ~ of a hair or tooth is the part of it that is underneath the skin.
...decay around the ~s of teeth.
N-COUNT
5.
You can refer to the place or culture that a person or their family comes from as their ~s.
I am proud of my Brazilian ~s...
N-PLURAL: usu poss N
6.
You can refer to the cause of a problem or of an unpleasant situation as the ~ of it or the ~s of it.
We got to the ~ of the problem...
N-COUNT: usu the N of n
7.
The ~ of a word is the part that contains its meaning and to which other parts can be added. (TECHNICAL)
The word ‘secretary’ comes from the same Latin ~ as the word ‘secret’.
N-COUNT
8.
If you ~ through or in something, you search for something by moving other things around.
She ~ed through the bag, found what she wanted, and headed toward the door...
= rummage
VERB: V prep
9.
see also ~ed , cube ~ , grass ~s , square ~
10.
If something has been completely changed or destroyed, you can say that it has been changed or destroyed ~ and branch. (WRITTEN)
The forces of National Socialism were transforming Germany ~ and branch...
Some prison practices are in need of ~ and branch reform.
PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR n
11.
If someone puts down ~s, they make a place their home, for example by taking part in activities there or by making a lot of friends there.
When they got to Montana, they put down ~s and built a life.
= settle down
PHRASE: V inflects
12.
If an idea, belief, or custom takes ~, it becomes established among a group of people.
Time would be needed for democracy to take ~...
PHRASE: V inflects