root

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The part of a plant that grows underground and takes in water and nutrients.

   The tree's roots spread deep beneath the soil.

2. 2
   noun

   The part of a tooth or hair that holds it in place under the surface.

   The dentist said the root of the tooth was infected.

3. 3
   noun

   The basic cause or origin of something.

   They tried to find the root of the problem.

4. 4
   verb

   To dig in the ground with the nose, as a pig does.

   The pigs were rooting in the mud for food.

Common collocations

• root cause Adjective + noun

PIE word *wréh₂ds From Middle English rote, root, roote (“the underground part of a plant”), from late Old English rōt, from Old Norse rót (“root”), from Proto-Germanic *wrōts (“root”), from Proto-Indo-European *wréh₂ds (“root”); Doublet of wort, radish, and radix. Cognate with Scots ruit, rute (“root”), Danish rod (“root”), Faroese and Icelandic rót (“root”), Norwegian and Swedish rot (“root”).

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