GRASS ROOTS

ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun plural but singular or plural in construction

Etymology: grass (I) + roots

1. : soil at or near the surface

ore was found at the grass roots

2.

a. : the farming and rural districts of a country as distinguished from the industrial and urban

b. : the people of these districts when constituting or acting as a fundamental politico-economic group and a source of independent popular opinion

3. : the very foundation or source

attack a problem at the grass roots

: the fundamental part : basis

the grass roots of political organization