a HackerNoon project
Original · left

Root (botany)

The descending underground organ of a plant that anchors it and absorbs moisture and minerals.

First in use: ancient / pre-modern
Duplicate · right

Root (computing)

The foundational, topmost tier in a hierarchical filesystem, or the administrative superuser account wielding full system control.

First in use: the 1970s

Root / Root (botany) / Root (computing)

Loading data…
Canonical todayMeasuring…
Status—
Duplicate share · 12 mo—
Last crossover—
Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Plant anatomy vs. superuser.

Which meaning of Root is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Root (botany) came first (ancient / pre-modern). Root (computing) arrived in the 1970s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Root (botany)Root (computing)
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

Share-of-attention line loads here.

The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · ancient / pre-modern

Root (botany)

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

12-mo pageviews—
Year over year—
Peak month—
Duplicate · the 1970s

Root (computing)

Loading the Wikipedia definition…

12-mo pageviews—
Year over year—
Peak month—

More duplicated terms

Programming & software