root-and-branch

R r

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [root, roo t and branch, brahnch]
- /rut, rʊt ænd bræntʃ, brɑntʃ/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [root, roo t and branch, brahnch]
- /rut, rʊt ænd bræntʃ, brɑntʃ/

Definitions of root-and-branch word

noun root-and-branch a part of the body of a plant that develops, typically, from the radicle and grows downward into the soil, anchoring the plant and absorbing nutriment and moisture. 1
noun root-and-branch a similar organ developed from some other part of a plant, as one of those by which ivy clings to its support. 1
noun root-and-branch any underground part of a plant, as a rhizome. 1
noun root-and-branch something resembling or suggesting the root of a plant in position or function: roots of wires and cables. 1
noun root-and-branch the embedded or basal portion of a hair, tooth, nail, nerve, etc. 1
noun root-and-branch the fundamental or essential part: the root of a matter. Synonyms: base, foundation, basic part, basic element. 1

See all 26 definitions of root-and-branch

Information block about the term

Origin of root-and-branch

First appearance:

before 1150

One of the 7% oldest English words

before 1150; (noun) Middle English; late Old English rōt < Old Norse rōt; akin to Old English wyrt ‘plant’, wort2, German Wurzel, Latin rādīx (see radix), Greek rhíza (see rhizome); (v.) Middle English roten, rooten, derivative of the noun

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Root-and-branch

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Root-and-branch

root-and-branch popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 100% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

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