root

(noun) (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground.

(noun) the place where something begins, where it springs into being. Synonyms: beginning, origin, rootage, source. Examples: "The italian beginning of the renaissance." "Jupiter was the origin of the radiation." "Pittsburgh is the source of the ohio river." "Communism's russian root."

(noun) (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed. Synonyms: root word, base, stem, theme, radical. Examples: "Thematic vowels are part of the stem."

(noun) a number that, when multiplied by itself some number of times, equals a given number.

(noun) the set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation. Synonyms: solution.

(noun) someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent). Synonyms: ancestor, ascendant, ascendent, antecedent.

(noun) a simple form inferred as the common basis from which related words in several languages can be derived by linguistic processes. Synonyms: etymon.

(noun) the part of a tooth that is embedded in the jaw and serves as support. Synonyms: tooth root.

(verb) take root and begin to grow. Examples: "This plant roots quickly."

(verb) come into existence, originate. Examples: "The problem roots in her depression."

(verb) plant by the roots.

(verb) dig with the snout. Synonyms: rout, rootle. Examples: "The pig was rooting for truffles."

(verb) become settled or established and stable in one's residence or life style. Synonyms: settle, take root, steady down, settle down. Examples: "He finally settled down."

(verb) cause to take roots.