n. 25B6; noun
a plant's roots : rootstock, tuber, rootlet; Botany rhizome, radicle.
the root of the problem : SOURCE, origin, germ, beginnings, genesis; cause, reason, basis, foundation, bottom, seat; core, heart, nub, essence; formal radix.
he rejected his roots : ORIGINS, beginnings, family, ancestors, predecessors, heritage; birthplace, homeland.
radical, rhizo-.
25B6; verb
has the shoot rooted? : TAKE ROOT, grow roots, establish, strike, take.
root the cuttings : PLANT, bed out, sow.
he rooted around in the cupboard : RUMMAGE, hunt, search, rifle, delve, forage, dig, nose, poke; Brit. informal rootle.
25A0; put down roots SETTLE, establish oneself, set up home.
25A0; root and branch
the firm should be eradicated, root and branch : COMPLETELY, entirely, wholly, totally, thoroughly.
a root-and-branch reform : COMPLETE, total, thorough, radical.
25A0; root for (informal) CHEER (ON), applaud, support, encourage.
25A0; root something out
the hedge was rooted out : UPROOT, deracinate, pull up, grub out.
root out corruption : ERADICATE, eliminate, weed out, destroy, wipe out, stamp out, extirpate, abolish, end, put a stop to.
he rooted out a dark secret : UNEARTH, dig up, bring to light, uncover, discover, dredge up, ferret out, expose.
25A0; take root
leave the plants to take root : GERMINATE, sprout, establish, strike, take.
Christianity took root in Persia : BECOME ESTABLISHED, take hold; develop, thrive, flourish.