plant organ. usually underground. that serves as anchorage. and also absorbs and conducts water and minerals.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
root (noun)
1.
a) the usually underground part of a seed plant body that originates usually from the hypocotyl, functions as an organ of absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support, and differs from a stem especially in lacking nodes, buds, and leaves
b) any subterranean plant part (as a true root or a bulb, tuber, , or other modified stem) especially when fleshy and edible - rootstock
2.
a) the part of a tooth within the socket , also any of the processes into which this part is often divided - see tooth illustration
b) the enlarged basal part of a hair within the skin
c) the proximal end of a nerve
d) the part of an organ or physical structure by which it is attached to the body - the root of the tongue
3.
a) something that is an origin or source (as of a condition or quality) - the love of money is the root of all evil 1 Timothy 6:10(Authorized Version)
b) one or more progenitors of a group of descendants - usually used in plural
c) an underlying support - basis
d) the essential core - heart often used in the phrase at root
e) close relationship with an environment - tie usually used in plural they put down roots in a farming community
4.
a) a quantity taken an indicated number of times as an equal factor - 2 is a fourth root of 16
b) a number that reduces an equation to an identity when it is substituted for one variable
5.
a) the lower part - base
b) the part by which an object is attached to something else
6.
the simple element inferred as the basis from which a word is derived by phonetic change or by extension (as composition or the addition of an affix or inflectional ending)
7.
the lowest tone of a chord (as C in a C minor chord) when the tones are arranged in ascending thirds origin
root (verb)
transitive verb
1.
a) to furnish with or enable to develop - roots
b) to fix or implant by or as if by roots
2.
intransitive verb
to remove altogether by or as if by pulling out by the roots - usually used with out root out dissenters
1.
to grow roots or take root
2.
to have an origin or base
root (verb)
intransitive verb
1.
to turn up or dig in the earth with the snout - grub
2.
transitive verb
to poke or dig about to turn over, dig up, or discover and bring to light - usually used with out root out the cause of the problem
root (verb)
intransitive verb
1.
to noisily applaud or encourage a contestant or team - cheer
2.
to wish the success of or lend support to someone or something
Root (biographical name)
Elihu 1845–1937 Am. lawyer & statesman
root (Wikipedia)
Primary and secondary roots in a cotton plant

In vascular plants, the root is the organ of a plant that typically lies below the surface of the soil. Roots can also be aerial or aerating, that is, growing up above the ground or especially above water. Furthermore, a stem normally occurring below ground is not exceptional either (see rhizome). Therefore, the root is best defined as the non-leaf, non-nodes bearing parts of the plant's body. However, important internal structural differences between stems and roots exist.

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