Roots: meaning, definitions and examples

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roots

[ ruːts ]

^{Context #1}

botany

The part of a plant that attaches it to the ground or to a support, typically underground, conveying water and nourishment to the rest of the plant.

Synonyms

fibre, rhizome, tuber

Examples of usage

Plants absorb water and minerals from the soil through their roots.
The roots of a tree spread out in search of nutrients.
Carrots and radishes are examples of root vegetables.

^{Context #2}

anatomy

The embedded part of a bodily organ or structure such as a hair, tooth, or nerve, typically remaining after the rest has been removed.

Synonyms

base, bottom, origin

Examples of usage

The dentist extracted the tooth, but the root remained in the gum.
She dyed her hair, covering the roots with a darker shade.

^{Context #3}

computing

To gain access to and use the root account of a computer system.

Synonyms

access, control, hack

Examples of usage

He rooted his phone to install a custom ROM.
The hacker managed to root the server and steal sensitive information.

Translations

Translations of the word "roots" in other languages:

🇵🇹 raízes

🇮🇳 जड़ें

🇩🇪 Wurzeln

🇮🇩 akar

🇺🇦 корені

🇵🇱 korzenie

🇯🇵 根

🇫🇷 racines

🇪🇸 raíces

🇹🇷 kökler

🇰🇷 뿌리

🇸🇦 جذور

🇨🇿 kořeny

🇸🇰 korene

🇨🇳 根

🇸🇮 korenine

🇮🇸 rætur

🇰🇿 түбірлер

🇬🇪 ფესვები

🇦🇿 kök

🇲🇽 raíces

Word origin

The word 'roots' originated from Old English 'rot' meaning the underground part of a plant. Over time, it evolved to encompass various meanings in botany, anatomy, and computing. Roots symbolize the foundation, source, or origin of something, both in the natural world and metaphorically in human culture and language.

See also: root, rootstalk, rootstock, uproot.