roots

Thân thiện

He carefully examines the roots of the small plant in his garden.

Definition

Noun 1. The origin, source, or fundamental cause of something; the place or social group where something began or from which it derives. * This meaning refers to the point of origin, whether geographical, cultural, historical, or familial. 2. The part of a plant that grows underground, providing support and absorbing water and nutrients. * This is the literal, biological meaning of the word. 3. (In plural form, "roots") One's family, ethnic, or cultural origins, heritage, or sense of belonging. * This is a common figurative use relating to personal identity and ancestry.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Origin/Source):
  • The roots of the conflict are complex and historical.
  • We must address the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.
• Noun (Plant part):
  • The tree's roots spread deep into the soil.
  • Be careful not to damage the roots when you transplant it.
• Noun (Ancestry/Heritage - often plural):
  • She is proud of her Irish roots.
  • He is researching his family roots in Scotland.

Advanced Usage

• "To take root": To become established or begin to grow.
  • The new ideas quickly took root in the community.
• "To root for someone/something": To support or cheer for a person or team.
  • We all rooted for the underdog in the competition.
• "To root something out": To find and remove something completely.
  • The government vowed to root out corruption.

Variants and Related Words

• Rooted (adj): Firmly established; having roots.
  • She feels deeply rooted in her hometown.
• Rootless (adj): Lacking a sense of belonging or stability.
  • The rootless feeling of constant travel.
• Root vegetable (n): A vegetable such as a carrot or potato that is the root of a plant.
• Root cause (n): The fundamental reason for the occurrence of a problem.

Synonyms

• Origin: The point where something begins.
• Source: The place from which something comes.
• Foundation: The basis on which something is grounded.
• Ancestry: One's family or ethnic descent.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Root around (for something): To search for something by moving things around.
  • He rooted around in the drawer for a pen.
• Root someone/something out: To find and remove a person or thing completely.
  • They aimed to root out inefficiency in the system.

Related Idioms

• "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence": (Implies a lack of appreciation for one's own "roots" or situation, always thinking others have it better).
• "To put down roots": To settle down and establish a permanent home or life in a place.
  • After years of traveling, they decided to put down roots in a small village.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
   • his roots in Texas go back a long way
   • he went back to Sweden to search for his roots
   • his music has African roots