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rooting

v. · n.
US //ˈɹutɪŋ// UK //ɹˈuːtɪŋ// root·ing
  1. 1 supporting a team (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal American English Sport

    showing strong support for a person or team in a competition.

    expressing vocal or emotional support for a contestant or team. Often used with the preposition 'for'.

    Example

    I will be rooting for my sister during her tennis match this afternoon.

    Example

    Despite the team's poor performance earlier in the season, thousands of loyal fans were still rooting for them during the final championship game.

    Usage

    Typically used in the continuous form with 'for'.
  2. 2 searching through things (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    searching for something by moving things around with your hands.

    searching for an object by rummaging or moving items aside. Usually followed by 'around' or 'through'.

    Example

    She was rooting around in her bag looking for her car keys.

    Example

    He spent the entire morning rooting through old boxes in the attic, hoping to find the original deed to the house.

    Usage

    Often takes the particles 'around' or 'through'.
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  1. 3 plants growing (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    the process of a plant starting to grow roots in the soil.

    the biological process of a plant or cutting developing a root system in a growth medium.

    Example

    The gardener checked to see if the rose cuttings were rooting in the pots.

    Example

    Successful propagation depends on the cuttings rooting quickly before the stems begin to rot in the humid environment.

    Usage

    Can be used as an intransitive verb.
  2. 4 a baby's reflex (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

    a natural movement a baby makes to find milk when their cheek is touched.

    an involuntary reflex in newborn mammals that assists in finding the mother's nipple for feeding.

    Example

    The nurse noticed the baby's rooting reflex whenever her cheek touched the blanket.

    Example

    The rooting reflex is a critical survival mechanism in infants, ensuring they can locate a food source immediately after birth.

    Usage

    Almost exclusively used in the phrase 'rooting reflex'.

Origin

From Middle English rotynge (“rooting”); equivalent to root + -ing.

Idioms1 entry

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