Definition of Root

Noun: root root

(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds, leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
The place where something begins, where it springs into being
"communism's Russian root";
- beginning, origin, rootage, source
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
"thematic vowels are part of the root";
- root word, base, stem, theme, radical
A number that, when multiplied by itself some number of times, equals a given number
The set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation
- solution
Someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
- ancestor, ascendant, ascendent, antecedent
A simple form inferred as the common basis from which related words in several languages can be derived by linguistic processes
- etymon
The part of a tooth that is embedded in the jaw and serves as support
- tooth root
[Austral, NZ, vulgar] Slang for sexual intercourse
- make whoopee
(computing) the highest directory of a directory structure

Verb: root root

Take root and begin to grow
"this plant roots quickly"
Come into existence, originate
"The problem roots in her depression"
Plant by the roots
Dig with the snout
"the pig was rooting for truffles";
- rout, rootle
Become settled or established and stable in one's residence or life style
"He finally rooted down";
- settle, take root, steady down, settle down
Cause to take roots
[Austral, NZ, vulgar] Have sexual intercourse
- sleep together, love, make out, make love, sleep with, have sex, know [archaic], do it, be intimate, have intercourse, lie with [archaic], bed, have a go at it, get it on, make whoopee, nail [N. Amer]