root1 nounroot2 verb
rootroot1 /ruːt/ ●●● S2 W2 noun [countable] 
WORD ORIGINroot1
Origin:
1100-1200 Old Norse rotEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Cover the roots with plenty of soil.
- Low taxation of the rich is the root of the economic problems in this country.
- The roots of the wars in the Balkans go back hundreds of years.
- The love of money is said to be the root of all evil.
- Truffles are parasites that grow on the roots of trees.
- We need to get to the root of the problem.
- But its roots go back decades.
- I doubt whether you can have deep London roots, or Birmingham, or even Stoke-on-Trent roots.
- The dozen rich families have intermarried so many times that family trees are tangles of roots.
- The long roots of Water Lettuce provide shelter for fish and fry.
- The word bond comes from the same root as bind, for the corporation binds it-self to make the specified payments.
- They usually have well developed roots and fragile stems with which to resist the pressure of the current.
THESAURUSwhere something comes from
the place or situation in which something begins to exist: · the origins of the conflict in the Middle East· The book explains the origin of words.· Her disability is genetic in origin.
the thing, place etc that you get something from: · They get their money from various sources.· Beans are a good source of protein.
the rootof a problem is the main cause. The roots of something are the things that it was originally based on: · Allergies are at the root of a lot of health problems.· At the root of the crisis was a shortage of hard cash.· They want a return to the roots of Christianity.· Reggae has its roots in a range of different musical styles.
the place where something first started to exist: · New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz.· Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee
the place where something important first started – used mainly in the following phrases: · Ancient Athens is considered to be the cradle of democracy.· Baghdad was the cradle of civilization.
an idea, suggestion etc from which a discussion, process, or project can develop: · His paper provided an excellent starting point for discussion.
Longman Language Activatorsomething that makes something else happen · Doctors cannot find a cure for the illness until they have identified the cause.cause of · Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the accident.root cause (=basic cause) · The root cause of the current energy crisis is that we simply use too much energy.
one of several causes of a situation or condition: · The price of insurance depends on several factors, including the age of the car.factor in: · His girlfriend lives in London and I'm sure that was a factor in his decision to move there.key factor (=very important factor): · Money will be the key factor when we decide to buy a new house.deciding/determining factor (=the thing that finally makes something happen): · Race should never be a deciding factor in a hiring decision.
the thing or one of the things that makes you decide to do something or makes something happen: · "Why are you helping her?" "She asked me to. That's the only reason."· The main reason she quit is that she was not being paid enough.reason for/behind: · Can anyone explain the reason for the delay?· There were two reasons behind the company's failure.reason why/(that): · The reason why the economy is growing more slowly is a lack of workers.reason to do something: · There's no reason to doubt what she says.
the first causes from which a situation, condition etc has developed: origins of: · The origins of the crisis were very complex.· Other cultures' beliefs about the origins of disease often differ from our own.have origins in: · Many of our attitudes to the issue of race have their origins in the colonialism of days gone by.
the main or most important cause of a situation or condition: root of: · The roots of the wars in the Balkans go back hundreds of years.get to the root of something (=discover the most important cause): · We need to get to the root of the problem.
an event, action, or situation that helps a process to develop more quickly: · The appointment of a new director gave the project immediate stimulus.stimulus to: · The surge in new housing construction ought to provide a stimulus to the economy.
an event, action, or situation that helps something to develop more quickly: impetus for/behind: · The impetus for change in the industry was provided by a new management team.· Press criticism has been the main impetus behind the government reforms.give impetus to something: · The Surgeon General's speech will give new impetus to the anti-smoking campaign.
to be the first or basic cause of something to be the basic cause of a problem or serious situation: · Simple greed is at the root of most white-collar crime.· At the bottom of the country's economic problems is its overwhelming debt.lie at the root/bottom of something: · Difficulties with the company's overseas subsidiaries lie at the root of last year's losses.
: underlying cause/reason/factor etc a cause, reason etc that is one of the most basic and important, but which is not easy to notice: · They were treating only the symptoms of the disease rather than its underlying cause.· Climate and geography are the underlying reasons for the region's low level of economic development.
the place, situation etc that something comes from the situation, ideas, events etc that something else developed from: · The rumour is now so widespread, it's difficult to be certain of its origin.origin/origins of: · Astronomers hope new instruments will give them further clues to the origins of the universe.· a book that tries to explain the origin of words and phrases
the point or place where something comes from or where people get something from: · They get their money from various sources.source of: · Beans and lentils are a very good source of protein.· Most Americans rely on television as their chief source of information.
: cradle of democracy/civilization/human society etc the place or situation in which democracy etc first started: · Ancient Athens is generally thought of as the cradle of democracy.· Baghdad, the cradle of civilization
the place where something first started to exist: birthplace of: · New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz· Walden Pond has been called the birthplace of modern environmentalism.
the most important reason for or cause of something else happening or existing, especially a problem or something bad: root of: · Low taxation of the rich is the root of the economic problems in this country.the root of all evil: · The love of money is said to be the root of all evil.
WORD SETSaerobic, adjectiveafterbirth, nounalgae, nounalimentary canal, nounamber, nounameba, nounamino acid, nounamoeba, nounanaconda, nounanaerobic, adjectiveandrogynous, adjectiveantibody, nounantigen, nounantitoxin, nounappendage, nounarm, nounarmour, nounasexual, adjectiveassimilation, nounatrophy, verbaviary, nounbacteria, nounbacteriology, nounbarnacle, nounbile, nounbinocular vision, nounbio-, prefixbiochemistry, nounbiodegradable, adjectivebiodiversity, nounbiohazard, nounbiological, adjectivebiological clock, nounbiology, nounbiomass, nounbiome, nounbiosphere, nounblind, nounbrain, nounbreathe, verbbreed, verbbreed, nounbreeding, nounbristle, nounbulb, nouncapsule, nouncarbohydrate, nouncarbon dioxide, nouncarnivore, nouncell, nouncellular, adjectivecellulose, nouncentral nervous system, nouncervical, adjectivecholesterol, nounchromosome, nouncirculation, nouncirculatory, adjectiveclass, nounclone, nouncold-blooded, adjectiveconceive, verbconch, nounconnective tissue, nouncopulate, verbcoral reef, nouncornea, nouncoronary, adjectivecorpuscle, nouncortex, nouncortisone, nouncowrie, nouncrab, nouncrawfish, nouncrayfish, nouncreature, nouncross, verbcrossbreed, nounculture, nouncytoplasm, noundecay, verbdecay, noundecompose, verbdefecate, verbdenizen, noundextrose, noundiaphragm, noundigest, verbdigestion, noundigestive, adjectiveDNA, noundorsal, adjectivedry rot, nounduct, noundwarf, noundwarf, adjectiveecological, adjectiveecology, nounecosystem, nounegg, nounejaculate, verbembryo, nounembryonic, adjectiveenzyme, nounepidermis, nounevolution, nounevolutionary, adjectiveexcrement, nounexcrescence, nounexcrete, verbexcretion, nounexhale, verbexoskeleton, nounextinction, nounfaeces, nounfamily, nounfang, nounfat, nounfatty acid, nounfauna, nounfeces, nounfeed, verbfemale, adjectivefemale, nounferment, verbferment, nounfertile, adjectivefertility, nounfertilize, verbfission, nounflank, nounflatulence, nounflesh, nounfleshy, adjectiveflightless, adjectiveflora, nounfoetal, adjectivefoetus, nounfoliage, nounfossil, nounfreak, nounfreshwater, adjectivefructose, noungamete, nounganglion, noungene, noungene pool, noungenera, genetic, adjectivegenetic code, noungenetic engineering, noungenetic fingerprinting, noungenetics, noungenome, noungenus, noungestation, noungland, nounglandular, adjectiveglucose, noungluten, noungonad, noungrass snake, noungrow, verbgrowth, nounhabitat, nounhaemoglobin, nounhearing, nounheart, nounhemisphere, nounherbivore, nounhereditary, adjectiveheredity, nounhermaphrodite, nounhibernate, verbhistamine, nounhoming, adjectivehormone, nounhost, nounimpregnate, verbimpulse, nounincubate, verbindigenous, adjectiveinfected, adjectiveinfertile, adjectiveinfest, verbingest, verbinhale, verbinseminate, verbinsensate, adjectiveinsulin, nounintegument, nounintercourse, nouninterferon, nounintestine, nouninvertebrate, nouninvoluntary, adjectiveiris, nounjaw, nounjelly, nounkidney, nounkrill, nounlactate, verblactation, nounlactic acid, nounleech, nounleg, nounlesser, adjectivelichen, nounlife, nounlife cycle, nounlife form, nounligament, nounlimb, nounlimpet, nounlipid, nounliver, nounliving fossil, nounlocomotion, nounlymph, nounlymph node, nounmale, adjectivemale, nounmammal, nounmandible, nounmate, nounmate, verbmembrane, nounmetabolism, nounmetabolize, verbmetamorphosis, nounmicrobe, nounmicrobiology, nounmicroorganism, nounmicroscopic, adjectivemigrate, verbmigratory, adjectivemiscarriage, nounmolar, nounmorphology, nounmotor, adjectivemould, nounmouth, nounmucous membrane, nounmucus, nounmulticellular, adjectivemuscle, nounmuscular, adjectivemutant, nounmutate, verbmutation, nounnatural history, nounnatural selection, nounnature, nounneck, nounnectar, nounnerve, nounnervous, adjectivenervous system, nounneural, adjectiveneuro-, prefixneurology, nounnode, nounnose, nounnostril, nounnucleic acid, nounnucleus, nounnutrient, nounnutriment, nounoesophagus, nounoestrogen, nounolfactory, adjectiveoptic, adjectiveorgan, nounorganic, adjectiveorganic chemistry, nounorganism, nounorifice, nounossify, verbosteo-, prefixoutgrowth, nounova, ovary, nounoverwinter, verboviduct, nounoviparous, adjectiveovulate, verbovum, nounparasite, nounpathogen, nounpedigree, nounpelvic, adjectivepelvis, nounpenile, adjectivepenis, nounpepsin, nounperiod, nounperspiration, nounperspire, verbphotosynthesis, nounphylum, nounpigment, nounpigmentation, nounplankton, nounplasma, nounpollinate, verbpostnatal, adjectivepregnancy, nounpregnant, adjectivepremature, adjectiveprenatal, adjectiveproduct, nounproliferation, nounpropagate, verbprotein, nounprotoplasm, nounprotozoan, nounpuberty, nounpulmonary, adjectivepulp, nounpulsation, nounputrefy, verbputrid, adjectivered blood cell, nounregurgitate, verbrenal, adjectivereproduce, verbreproduction, nounreproductive, adjectiverespiration, nounrespiratory, adjectiverespire, verbretina, nounroot, nounrot, verbrot, nounruff, nounsac, nounsaliva, nounsalivary gland, nounsalivate, verbsaltwater, adjectivescale, nounscallop, nounscaly, adjectivesebaceous, adjectivesecrete, verbsecretion, nounsemen, nounsense organ, nounsensory, adjectiveserum, nounsex, nounsex, verbsexless, adjectivesexual intercourse, nounsheath, nounshell, nounsibling, nounskeletal, adjectiveskeleton, nounskin, nounskull, nounspasm, nounspasmodic, adjectivespecies, nounspecimen, nounsperm, nounspiderweb, nounspinal cord, nounspine, nounspineless, adjectivestarch, nounstem cell, nounstimulate, verbstimulus, nounstrain, nounsubject, nounsubspecies, nounsucker, nounsucrose, nounsweat, verbsweat, nounsweat gland, nounsymbiosis, nounsystemic, adjectivetail, nountaxonomy, nounteeth, testosterone, nountest-tube baby, nountissue, nountrachea, nountube, noununicellular, adjectiveurethra, nounuric, adjectiveurinate, verburine, nounvariety, nounvector, nounvein, nounvenom, nounvenomous, adjectiveventricle, nounvertebra, nounvertebrate, nounvivisection, nounwarm-blooded, adjectivewean, verbwildlife, nounwindpipe, nounyolk, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
The love of money is the root of all evil. A competent mechanic should be able to get to the root of the problem (=find out the cause of a problem). the root causes of crime Jazz has its roots in the folk songs of the southern states of the US. the liberal economic policies which lie at the root of American power Alex Haley’s story about his search for his roots became a bestseller.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The whole of her being had been taken over by a desire to return to her homeland.
(=be the cause of something) Allergies are at the root of a lot of health problems.
Allergies are at the root of a lot of health problems. The love of money is the root of all evil. A competent mechanic should be able to get to the root of the problem (=find out the cause of a problem). the root causes of crime Jazz has its roots in the folk songs of the southern states of the US. the liberal economic policies which lie at the root of American power Alex Haley’s story about his search for his roots became a bestseller. The whole of her being had been taken over by a desire to return to her homeland. (=the most basic cause)· People often deal with the symptoms rather than the root cause of a problem.
(=find and stop it)· a new campaign to root out corruption
(=something is the main cause of bad things)· Love of money is the root of all evil.
(=vegetables whose roots you eat, such as carrots)· Excellent soups can be made from root vegetables.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· But baseball is a sport with deep roots in the past.· It probably never had deep roots in the reason of the generals, the men in the lines, or the people.· The traditional governing class with deep roots in the landed aristocracy was gradually displaced as the Third Reich consolidated its position.· Yet it misses the deep roots of alienation in Western thought.· The approval services have put down particularly deep roots.· I opened it and behind it was a wall of dirt shot through with the deep roots of trees.
· The rhizome cutting will produce shoots very quickly, and strong, fine roots will develop.· Propagation is by cuttings which root very freely. Fine white roots develop from the nodes on the stems.· The submerged stems have fine roots growing from the leaf joints or nodes.· Some plants have a prominent main or tap root, from which rows of fine lateral roots grow.· The fine roots develop and establish rapidly.· Pot up cuttings individually as soon as fine white roots and young top growth are visible.· Numerous fine roots grow at the nodes, and therefore propagation is extremely simple.
NOUN· I had a throbbing abscess under a large section of bridgework and root canal work was the next day's projected treat.· He got out of bed on Wednesday morning, feeling the same dread he might feel over an impending root canal.· Herbivores have a large root canal in the teeth, which grow continually throughout life.
· Such unemployment is labelled classical in the sense that its sole root cause is an excessively high real wage.· Whether caffeine is the root cause of your insomnia or just a contributing factor, your caffeine consumption needs to be addressed.· While the root cause of the catastrophe remains uncertain, there are some pointers for the investigators.· Like retrenching, the technique of restricting behavior betrays a peculiar logic about performance and its root causes.· The main inhibitors to progress, and the root causes of fear, can include: Unrealistic personal goals and expectations.· But such an approach is a classic example of treating symptoms of organizational dysfunction, rather than its root causes.· Determinedly she put her worries and the root cause of her despondency behind her and tried to think more cheerfully.· Naturally, the course of treatment depends on the root cause of the insomnia.
· Cereal and root crops are equally vulnerable to rabbit damage.
· But even the grass roots of the club are sprouting.· These teams organized in their own communities to help build pro-ERA visibility and momentum at the grass roots.· She also finds strong support among the party's grass roots.· My basic assumption is that votes are won or lost at the grass roots, not in Washington.· Some at the grass roots feared that it was a rejection of traditional Puritan virtues.· The President continued to campaign at the grass roots.· In grass roots politics interest grows mostly through non-party political activities.
· It may help to build a shallow cone of soil around which to spread the root system evenly.· Upon arriving home, he noticed the sapling still had a pretty good root system on the bottom end.· Early drilled crops have a greater and earlier nutrient demand and their root systems can cope better, he said.· Rootstock: The plant that supplies a root system for a grafted plant.· Well-established clematis plants develop a large root system that takes up a great deal of water.· Unlike most land plants, aquatic plants are not dependent solely on nutrition obtained through the root system.· Plants with a fibrous root system, creating plenty of organic matter, do most to improve the soil structure.· The plants develop a thick rhizome with a dense root system.
· A tree root flexed, then was still.· All stones are allowed to become covered with aquatic mosses, and the tree roots are covered with decorative ferns.· A hopelessness swept through her so unexpectedly she gasped as if in pain and grabbed at a tree root to prevent herself falling.· Now it was treacherous with tree roots.· Lastly it is worth noting any usual features like sunken logs, projecting tree roots and big boulders.· Moisture is another factor. Tree roots drink a lot of water, so remember to water what you plant.· As the stragglers passed he noticed a man sitting on a tree root, nursing a bloodstained foot.· Grapevines swag down from overhead, and tree roots are crumbling the bricks.
VERB· It was growing from the twin roots of controlled food prices and food subsidies.· The tube-type filter also has less chance of getting tangled in the growing roots of the plants.· Coarser gravel would not need it, but fine gravel is easier for plants to grow their roots through.· A hundred blossoms grew up from the roots, and the fragrance was very sweet.· The eggs of this parasitic worm can wait as long as 16 years for a suitable root to grow nearby.· It will then grow the roots and cling to these.
· Consent, which lies at the root of self-determination, should be the conceptual mechanism whereby the right is guaranteed and safeguarded.· Biblical writings, which lie at the root of Western culture, make numerous mention of portents in the heavens.· It is our illusion of separateness which lies at the root of our fears.· We found that two key resource uses and two basic technologies lay at the root of lunar industry.· As we shall find, this distinction lies at the root of Anselm's movements in his last years as archbishop.· Several other causes, according to their findings, often lie at the root of violence against tenants.· That view lies at the root of a government drive against the racist right.· They overlook the human ability to negate, which lies at the root of thinking.
· I was going to put down roots, achieve something, give meaning to my existence.· It puts down roots 10 feet deep, easily withstanding drought and even frequent fires.· It's home, and the film centre and restaurant are his rather grand way of putting down some roots.· That was before they put me in the root cellar.· New herbaceous perennials planted now will put on plenty of root growth before winter, giving a better display next year.· For Ada, putting down roots opens a new life of discipline and learning.· They might be given no time to put down territorial roots.· In their place, developers are building upscale subdivisions that tend to cater to newcomers less willing to put down roots.
· What happened was that we returned to our roots.· Now the label is returning to its roots with these concerts.· It was almost immediately clear that, though a rather greying skinhead now, Mr Tebbit had returned to his roots.· Forty-five years later he's returned to his roots, with a retrospective display of his favourite surrealist paintings.· One had to return to grass roots.· Latter-day Cobdenites faced the future by returning to the subversive roots of their creed.· They're trying to return to their roots.
· Therefore, taking the square root of this measure we get the correlation coefficient; i.e.. 11.· The formal idea of a society of Co-Workers took root gradually.· Even in cases where transplants manage to take root, the results are not always beneficial.· These spores take root in the Night Goblin's flesh and gradually start to change him.· It was then that there took root those family cults and that ethic on which neo-Confucianism is based.· But the curious thing was that the idea had somehow and much against his will taken root in his consciousness.· But once in gear, the collective give and take of a vivisystem takes root and persists.
· The Quarter can trace its roots as far back as 1460, when work in precious metals is first recorded in Birmingham.· Nor is the manner in which Mumford traces the historical roots of this development much different from that of Wittfogel.· In a chapter of the book entitled Hebraism and Hellenism he traces the roots of these views.· I can trace your roots back to the thirteenth century or more.· The virus has a structure of relatedness that traces its roots further and further into the past.· The Lechmere chain traces its roots to merchant Abraham Cohen, who opened a harness store that bore his name in 1913.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► have a (good) root round► somebody’s rootsPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1plant the part of a plant or tree that grows under the ground and gets water from the soil: - Women's professional basketball has yet to take root in this country.
- Betty Caplan on the blossoming of an experimental theatre group Magdalena takes root.
- But the curious thing was that the idea had somehow and much against his will taken root in his consciousness.
- From the day that Michael Codron became interested in producing the show, I felt the cutting take root.
- Has democracy truly taken root in the hemisphere, they wonder.
- I was being pressed into the earth, taking root at last.
- The formal idea of a society of Co-Workers took root gradually.
- These spores take root in the Night Goblin's flesh and gradually start to change him.
- This plant propagates as speedily in deep water as in a marshy habitat, the thin rhizomes taking root quickly.
- A better solution is to prune roots and branches.
- But Staggs's Gardens had been cut up root and branch.
- I give my hon. Friend the absolute assurance that the Government will continue to oppose it root and branch.
- The roots and branches of the Suez war require an arboretum of their own.
- This root and branch reform of personal taxation has many attractions for those on the left.
- Just as I was putting down roots, our family had to move up north.
- For Ada, putting down roots opens a new life of discipline and learning.
- However, now that they had family responsibilities and were beginning to put down roots, they returned to their former church-going.
- I was going to put down roots, achieve something, give meaning to my existence.
- In their place, developers are building upscale subdivisions that tend to cater to newcomers less willing to put down roots.
- It puts down roots 10 feet deep, easily withstanding drought and even frequent fires.
- Meanwhile, people who might want to put down roots in the community are finding it prohibitively expensive.
- She's had 8 quarters, so it's hard to put down roots.
- What better way to put down roots, and what more suitable time than in the spring?
- a grassroots campaign
- The decisions were taken by the party leadership without consulting the grass roots.
- As we shall find, this distinction lies at the root of Anselm's movements in his last years as archbishop.
- Basic compassion, not just for the old but for the younger generation too, lies at the heart of this idea.
- That is the issue which lies at the heart of Mr. Thorpe's case.
- That question appears to lie at the heart of the highly publicized battle raging between Hasbro Inc. and Mattel Inc.
- That view lies at the root of a government drive against the racist right.
- The creation of a modernised democracy therefore lies at the heart of all our proposals.
- They overlook the human ability to negate, which lies at the root of thinking.
- We found that two key resource uses and two basic technologies lay at the root of lunar industry.
- Suddenly as they exchanged memories each saw the other putting forth leaves.
tree roots These plants produce a number of thin roots. → root crop, root vegetable2cause of a problem the main cause of a problembe/lie at the root of something (=be the cause of something) Allergies are at the root of a lot of health problems. The love of money is the root of all evil. A competent mechanic should be able to get to the root of the problem (=find out the cause of a problem). the root causes of crime3origin/main part the origin or main part of something such as a custom, law, activity etc, from which other things have developedroot in a legal system with roots in English common law Jazz has its roots in the folk songs of the southern states of the US.be/lie at the root of something the liberal economic policies which lie at the root of American power4family connection somebody’s roots your relation to a place because you were born there, or your family used to live there: immigrants keeping in touch with their cultural roots Alex Haley’s story about his search for his roots became a bestseller.5put down roots if you put down roots somewhere, you start to feel that a place is your home and to have relationships with the people there: Because of her husband’s job, they’d moved too often to put down roots anywhere.6tooth/hair etc the part of a tooth, hair etc that connects it to the rest of your body: She’d pulled some of Kelly’s hair out by the roots.7take root a)if an idea, method, activity etc takes root, people begin to accept or believe it, or it begins to have an effect: Economists believe that economic recovery will begin to take root next year. b)if a plant takes root, it starts to grow where you have planted it8have a (good) root round British English informal to search for something by moving other things around9language technical the basic part of a word which shows its main meaning, to which other parts can be added. For example, the word ‘coldness’ is formed from the root ‘cold’ and the suffix ‘ness’.10mathematics technical a number that, when multiplied by itself a certain number of times, equals the number that you have: 2 is the fourth root of 16.11root and branch if you destroy or change something root and branch, you get rid of it or change it completely and permanently because it is bad: a root and branch reform of the electoral system → cube root, square root, grass rootsroot1 nounroot2 verb
rootroot2 verb WORD ORIGINroot2
Origin:
1-2, 4-5 1200-1300 ➔ ROOT13 Old English wrotan. root for 1800-1900 Perhaps from rout (of cattle) ‘to make a loud sound’ (14-19 centuries), from Old Norse rautaVERB TABLE
root
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | root |
| he, she, it | roots | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | rooted |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have rooted |
| he, she, it | has rooted | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had rooted |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will root |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have rooted |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am rooting |
| he, she, it | is rooting | |
| you, we, they | are rooting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was rooting |
| you, we, they | were rooting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been rooting |
| he, she, it | has been rooting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been rooting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be rooting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been rooting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- The bush was too firmly rooted in the hard earth to dig up easily.
- A crest of wavy, blond hair was loosely rooted on a magisterial forehead.
- A prime source of violence resides in the elitist educational strategies that are firmly rooted in the school ethos.
- He roots around in a deep drawer and comes out with a bright, brand-new-looking leather strap.
- Saguaros in bloom, the glare of a horned owl and javelinas rooting for a bite to eat.
- These include massacres and dislocation of civilians in the name of rooting out supposed guerrilla sympathizers.
- To begin with, though, it is the narrator, Austin, in whom our sympathies are rooted.
- To prevent birds pulling them up, net the rows until they root and cut off any wispy tips.
Longman Language Activatorto get rid of something that is causing problems
to remove or deal with something that is causing you trouble, such as an illness or a problem: · I can't seem to get rid of this cold.· We've cleaned the carpet twice, but still can't get rid of the smell.· Weedaway is a safe and natural way to get rid of weeds coming up in the garden.
to officially end a law, legal right, or system, especially one that has existed for a long time: · The unpopular tax was finally abolished some ten years ago.· He served over 27 years in prison for fighting to abolish white-only rule.
to end a system, law etc, or to decide not to use a plan that you were intending to use: · Plans to build a new airport have been scrapped because of lack of funding.· The president's proposal to scrap the program has angered many members of Congress.
to get rid of something because you do not need it: · Investors ditched stocks that were performing badly.· Brumfeld apparently ditched the car near Texarkana and fled into the woods.
to get rid of something so that it does not exist any more: · San José State University is doing away with its business school and department of journalism.· All countries in the region should commit themselves to doing away with weapons of mass destruction.
to completely get rid of something such as a disease, a social problem, or something that causes these things: · The disease has been eradicated from the Western world through the use of vaccines.· Their aim is to eradicate child poverty in the country within 10 years.
to completely get rid of something that is unnecessary or unwanted: · Traffic police intend to eliminate congestion caused by illegally parked vehicles.· Advances in medical science have eliminated the need for many patients to spend long periods of time in hospital.
to completely and thoroughly get rid of something that is causing you problems, especially by trying to make sure the causes of it are found and stopped: root out something: · The new president has promised to root out high level corruption.root something out: · Wherever we find waste and incompetence we will root it out.
to get rid of someone because you do not like or need them any more · New police chief Brody promised to get rid of the city's drug dealers.· The company announced that it will get rid of another 500 workers by the end of the year.· One of the administration's first tasks will be to get rid of many of the officials appointed by the previous president.
if the leaders of a political organization purge a group of people from that organization, they get rid of them because they have political views that they strongly disagree with: · Many radicals were purged from the party in the early seventies.· In the North, Sung systematically purged those whom he considered a threat.
to find out those people who are not suitable to belong to an organization or group, and get rid of them: · We do have procedures in place to weed out individuals who are corrupt.· The report claimed that there were at least 20,000 inefficient teachers that needed to be weeded out.
to try hard to find out all the people who are not suitable to belong to a particular group or organization, especially when it is not easy to know who they are, and get rid of them: · The Ministry of Health is continuing its efforts to root out incompetent doctors.· At that time, a secret branch of the National Police was involved in rooting out dissidents.
also somebody has (got) to go American spoken say this when you no longer want to employ someone: · It's been decided. Murrow will have to go.· "Gates has done nothing but divide this city. He has got to go," said one of the protesters.
informal to end a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend: · I think the guy's a jerk. I'm glad Debbie dumped him.· "Why did he dump her?" "He met somebody else."
WORD SETSacacia, nounacorn, nounalmond, nounaloe vera, nounanemone, nounangelica, nounaniseed, nounannual, nounanther, nounapricot, nounaquatic, adjectivearboreal, adjectivearboretum, nounartichoke, nounash, nounasparagus, nounaspen, nounaspidistra, nounaubergine, nounavocado, nounbalsa, nounbalsam, nounbamboo, nounbark, nounbarley, nounbasil, nounbay, nounbay leaf, nounbean, nounbeech, nounbeet, nounbegonia, nounbelladonna, nounbetel, nounbiennial, adjectivebilberry, nounbindweed, nounbiotechnology, nounbirch, nounblackberry, nounblackcurrant, nounblackthorn, nounbloom, nounbloom, verbblossom, nounblossom, verbbluebell, nounblueberry, nounbole, nounboll, nounbotanical, adjectivebotanist, nounbotany, nounbougainvillea, nounbough, nounbox, nounbracken, nounbranch, nounbreadfruit, nounbriar, nounbrier, nounbroad bean, nounbroadleaved, adjectivebroccoli, nounbroom, nounBrussels sprout, nounbud, nounbud, verbbulb, nounbulrush, nounburr, nounbush, nounbusy Lizzie, nounbutter bean, nounbuttercup, nouncabbage, nouncacao, nouncactus, nouncalyx, nouncamellia, nouncanopy, nouncantaloup, nouncapsicum, nouncaraway, nouncarnation, nouncarrot, nouncashew, nouncassava, nouncatkin, nouncauliflower, nouncedar, nouncelery, nouncellulose, nounchard, nouncherry, nounchervil, nounchestnut, nounchickweed, nounchicory, nounChinese leaves, nounchives, nounchlorophyll, nounchokecherry, nounchrysanthemum, nouncilantro, nouncitron, nouncitronella, nouncitrus, nounclematis, nounclementine, nounclimber, nounclove, nounclover, nouncloverleaf, nouncoca, nouncocoa bean, nouncoconut, nouncoffee bean, nouncollard greens, nouncone, nounconifer, nounconker, nouncopper beech, nouncore, nouncoriander, nouncorn, nouncorncob, nouncornflower, nouncotton, nouncottonwood, nouncovert, nouncowslip, nouncrabgrass, nouncreep, verbcreeper, nouncress, nouncrocus, nouncrop, verbcross-fertilize, verbcultivate, verbcultivation, nouncumin, nouncutting, nouncyclamen, nouncypress, noundaffodil, noundahlia, noundaisy, noundamson, noundandelion, noundandelion clock, noundate, noundeadly nightshade, noundeciduous, adjectivedill, noundock, noundouble, adjectiveduckweed, nounDutch elm disease, nounelder, nounelderberry, nounelm, nounendive, nounetiolated, adjectiveeucalyptus, nounevergreen, adjectiveevergreen, nounfemale, adjectivefennel, nounfern, nounfertilize, verbfibre, nounfig leaf, nounfir, nounflax, nounflesh, nounfleshy, adjectiveflora, nounflower, verbfoliage, nounforget-me-not, nounfoxglove, nounfreesia, nounfrond, nounfruit, nounfruit, verbfuchsia, nounfungal, adjectivefungus, nounfurze, noungardenia, noungentian, noungeranium, noungerminate, verbginger, noungladiolus, noungooseberry, noungorse, noungourd, noungrape, noungrapefruit, noungrapevine, noungrass, noungrassy, adjectivegreen, adjectivegreen bean, noungreengage, noungreen onion, noungreen pepper, noungroundnut, nounguava, noungum, noungum tree, nounhardy, adjectiveharicot, nounhawthorn, nounhazel, nounhazelnut, nounheart, nounheath, nounheather, nounhedgerow, nounheliotrope, nounhemlock, nounhemp, nounherb, nounherbaceous, adjectivehibiscus, nounhickory, nounhip, nounholly, nounhollyhock, nounhoneysuckle, nounhorse chestnut, nounhorseradish, nounhuckleberry, nounhusk, nounhyacinth, nounhybrid, nouniris, nounivy, nounjasmine, nounJerusalem artichoke, nounjuniper, nounkale, nounkelp, nounkernel, nounkidney bean, nounkumquat, nounlaburnum, nounlarch, nounlaurel, nounlavender, nounleader, nounleaf, nounleaf mould, nounleek, nounlegume, nounlemon, nounlentil, nounlettuce, nounlichen, nounlilac, nounlily, nounlily of the valley, nounlima bean, nounlimb, nounlime, nounlinden, nounlinseed, nounlocoweed, nounlog, nounloganberry, nounlotus, nounlush, adjectivelychee, nounmagnolia, nounmahogany, nounmale, adjectivemallow, nounmandrake, nounmangrove, nounmaple, nounmarigold, nounmarrow, nounmay, nounmilkweed, nounmimosa, nounmint, nounmistletoe, nounmorning glory, nounmoss, nounmountain ash, nounmulberry, nounmustard, nounmycology, nounmyrrh, nounmyrtle, nounnarcissus, nounnasturtium, nounnative, adjectivenative, nounnaturalist, nounnectarine, nounneedle, nounnettle, nounnodal, adjectivenode, nounnodule, nounnut, nounnutshell, nounoak, nounoffshoot, nounoilseed rape, nounoleander, nounolive, nounorchard, nounorchid, nounosier, nounovary, nounovergrown, adjectiveovergrowth, nounox-eye, nounpalm, nounpalm tree, nounpampas grass, nounpansy, nounpapyrus, nounparasite, nounparasitic, adjectiveparsley, nounparsnip, nounpassionflower, nounpeach, nounpear, nounpeat, nounpecan, nounpeony, nounpeppermint, nounperennial, adjectiveperennial, nounperiwinkle, nounpersimmon, nounpetal, nounpetunia, nounphlox, nounphotosynthesis, nounpimento, nounpimpernel, nounpine, nounpineapple, nounpinewood, nounpink, nounpinto bean, nounpip, nounpippin, nounpistachio, nounpistil, nounpit, nounpitch pine, nounpith, nounplane, nounplane tree, nounplankton, nounplant, nounplant, verbplantain, nounplum, nounpod, nounpoinsettia, nounpoison ivy, nounpoison oak, nounpollen, nounpollen count, nounpollinate, verbpoplar, nounpoppy, nounpoppyseed, nounpotato, nounprickle, nounprickly, adjectiveprickly pear, nounprimrose, nounprimula, nounprivet, nounpropagate, verbpuffball, nounpulp, nounpussy willow, nounragweed, nounragwort, nounramble, verbrambler, nounrampant, adjectiverank, adjectiverape, nounraspberry, nounrattan, nounredcurrant, nounredwood, nounreed, nounreedy, adjectiveresin, nounrhizome, nounrhododendron, nounrhubarb, nounrice, nounrind, nounripe, adjectiveripen, verbroot, nounroot, verbrose, nounrosebud, nounrosemary, nounrubber plant, nounrunner, nounrunner bean, nounrush, nounsac, nounsagebrush, nounsandalwood, nounsap, nounsapling, nounsappy, adjectivesapwood, nounsassafras, nounsavory, nounscallion, nounscion, nounscrub, nounscrubby, adjectiveseaweed, nounsedge, nounseed, nounseed, verbseedling, nounsegment, nounsenna, nounsepal, nounsequoia, nounsesame, nounset, nounshallot, nounshamrock, nounshed, verbshoot, verbshoot, nounshrub, nounsilver birch, nounskin, nounsloe, nounsnapdragon, nounsnowdrop, nounsorghum, nounsorrel, nounsoya bean, nounspearmint, nounspinach, nounspiny, adjectivespore, nounsprig, nounspring onion, nounsprout, verbsprout, nounspruce, nounsquash, nounstalk, nounstamen, nounstem, nounstigma, nounstinging nettle, nounstock, nounstraw, nounstrawberry, nounstring bean, nounstump, nounsucculent, nounsucker, nounsugar, nounsugar beet, nounsugarcane, nounsunflower, nounswede, nounsweetcorn, nounsweet gum, nounsweet pea, nounsweet william, nounsycamore, nountamarind, nountangerine, nountaproot, nountea, nounteasel, nounteazel, nountendril, nounthistle, nounthistledown, nounthorn, nounthorny, adjectivethyme, nountimber, nountoadstool, nountop, nountrailing, adjectivetranspiration, nountranspire, verbtransplant, verbtree, nountreetop, nountrefoil, nountruffle, nountrunk, nountuber, nountulip, nountumbleweed, nounturnip, nountwig, noununderbrush, nounundergrowth, noununripe, adjectivevanilla, nounvariegated, adjectivevegetable, nounvegetation, nounvein, nounvetch, nounvine, nounviolet, nounvirginia creeper, nounwallflower, nounwalnut, nounwater chestnut, nounwatercress, nounwater lily, nounweed, nounwhorl, nounwild rice, nounwillow, nounwilt, verbwisteria, nounwither, verbwithered, adjectivewoody, adjectivewormwood, nounyam, nounyew, nounyucca, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY This feeling of rejection is often deeply rooted in childhood.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The whole of her being had been taken over by a desire to return to her homeland.
This feeling of rejection is often deeply rooted in childhood. The whole of her being had been taken over by a desire to return to her homeland. (=the most basic cause)· People often deal with the symptoms rather than the root cause of a problem.
(=find and stop it)· a new campaign to root out corruption
(=something is the main cause of bad things)· Love of money is the root of all evil.
(=vegetables whose roots you eat, such as carrots)· Excellent soups can be made from root vegetables.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· He rooted around in his coat pocket until he found the address that Tony Jones had given him.· He roots around in a deep drawer and comes out with a bright, brand-new-looking leather strap.· And then I was like rooting around in your things, and found this, and I thought-cool.· He rooted around for survivors but there were none.· Their long mobile noses are used for rooting around in search of small animals.· The object of his thrusts looks serenely bored, continuing to root around in the mud for food handouts.· When he rooted around the kitchen he was amazed at the amount of food she had stored.
· But on the other hand, this respectable ideology was deeply rooted in the general experience of working-class life.· Behind those balconies, behind those curtains, deeply rooted families survived, and neither wars nor occupations could budge them.· This is based on enumerative classification, which is deeply rooted in the traditions of epidemiology and vital statistics.· Had some deeply rooted shame kept her from telling me what was really going on?· Tonight, she brings her deeply rooted Southwestern style to Tucson.· The idea of centre is deeply rooted in the human mind.· Its vigour and vitality attest to a popular piety deeply rooted in the everyday life of the local community.
· A prime source of violence resides in the elitist educational strategies that are firmly rooted in the school ethos.· Investigative science is not yet firmly rooted in the curriculum, inspectors found.· But by that time, the constitutional doctrine of corporate personhood was firmly rooted in the cases.· It has the added value of being firmly rooted in a thorough understanding of technique.· Their celestial explorations are firmly rooted where they are, on terra firma.· Her work might be in Detroit but her home, her life and her boyfriend Chris are rooted firmly in Chicago.
· Over the years of football authorities have become obsessed with rooting out drug abuse in the game.· A major investigation is under way to root out graft there, they said.· The alien corn had been rooted out and burnt.· For others, it might mean therapy to root out the underlying causes of overeating.· Sir Robert Mark's campaign to root out corruption in the Metropolitan Police is well known.· They have wanted to use suspicion to root out bad faith without taking responsibility for the implicit grounds of that suspicion.· The trouble makers seem to have been rooted out.
NOUN· Its vigour and vitality attest to a popular piety deeply rooted in the everyday life of the local community.
· What is on offer from Damascus is at best a cold, barren peace, rooted in the past.· It is rooted in a particular past, a past that was patriarchal.· But the wider appeal failed, largely because local men were still too rooted in the past.
· In order to do this, we have to employ a method of understanding rooted in scientific principles that are universally accepted.· Perhaps some of her edits are rooted in writing principles.· Growing programs like the Rosenbluth International Alliance are rooted in principles like competing on quality of service rather than price.
· For a moment, she was rooted to the spot.· He stood rooted to the spot.· The noise hypnotised the Wooltons, rooting them to the spot.· She bought them while I waited, embarrassed and rooted to the spot.· He had covered half the distance when a loud, commanding voice rooted him to the spot.· After all, you don't want to be rooted to the spot in front of a microphone - you want to perform!· An accountant is rooted to the spot as sheets of glass plummet towards her.· They'd just set foot back in the ship proper when the burst of machine gun fire rooted them to the spot.
· This is based on enumerative classification, which is deeply rooted in the traditions of epidemiology and vital statistics.· The military attitudes we see today are rooted in a grim tradition.· This concerns the idea that politics is rooted in a tradition of behaviour.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1plant a)[intransitive] to grow roots: - A lot of his problems are rooted in his relationship with his mother.
- Growing programs like the Rosenbluth International Alliance are rooted in principles like competing on quality of service rather than price.
- His joy is rooted in moving words around on paper and in the serenity of reading and reflecting.
- It is a stereotype which, like all stereotypes, is rooted in a little truth.
- Our instinctive reactions seem to be rooted in the past and they are not always appropriate to twentieth-century living.
- Some are rooted in simple, everyday stress, others in anxiety, and some others in the more serious anxiety disorders.
- The twelfth-century papacy was rooted in a distant and revered past.
- Their goals and services are rooted in pragmatism.
- This great evil is rooted in systematic injustice.
- Ashi found herself rooted to the spot in disbelief as she watched the threshing legs of her daughter.
- For a few moments he had felt rooted to the floor and had been unable to move.
- For a moment, she was rooted to the spot.
- He stands still, his feet rooted to the ground, his knees locked.
- He stood rooted to the spot.
- So startled was he by this sudden onslaught, Ryker momentarily froze, rooted to the spot.
- Unable to move, Philippa remained rooted to the spot.
- a grassroots campaign
- The decisions were taken by the party leadership without consulting the grass roots.
- As we shall find, this distinction lies at the root of Anselm's movements in his last years as archbishop.
- Basic compassion, not just for the old but for the younger generation too, lies at the heart of this idea.
- That is the issue which lies at the heart of Mr. Thorpe's case.
- That question appears to lie at the heart of the highly publicized battle raging between Hasbro Inc. and Mattel Inc.
- That view lies at the root of a government drive against the racist right.
- The creation of a modernised democracy therefore lies at the heart of all our proposals.
- They overlook the human ability to negate, which lies at the root of thinking.
- We found that two key resource uses and two basic technologies lay at the root of lunar industry.
- Suddenly as they exchanged memories each saw the other putting forth leaves.
New shrubs will root easily in summer. b)[transitive] if a plant is rooted somewhere, it is held in the ground firmly by its roots: a bush firmly rooted in the hard groundroot itself Clumps of thyme had rooted themselves between the rocks.GRAMMAR Root is either passive or reflexive in this meaning.2be rooted in something to have developed from something and be strongly influenced by it: The country’s economic troubles are rooted in a string of global crises. This feeling of rejection is often deeply rooted in childhood.3search [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to search for something by moving things around SYN rummageroot through/in/amongst something (for something) Leila rooted through her handbag for a pen.4pigs [intransitive usually + adverb/preposition] if a pig roots somewhere, it looks for food under the groundroot for pigs rooting for truffles5rooted to the spot/floor/ground etc so shocked, surprised, or frightened that you cannot move: She stood rooted to the spot, staring at him.root for somebody phrasal verb informal1to want someone to succeed in a competition, test, or difficult situation: You can do it – I’m rooting for you.2especially American English to support a sports team or player by shouting and cheering: the Los Angeles fans rooting for the Lakersroot something ↔ out phrasal verb1to find out where a particular kind of problem exists and get rid of it: Action is being taken to root out corruption in the police force.2to find something by searching for it: I’ll try and root out something for you to wear.root something ↔ up phrasal verb to dig or pull a plant up with its roots