) | 1. | the common or ordinary people, esp. as contrasted with the leadership or elite of a political party, social organization, etc.; the rank and file. |
| 2. | the agricultural and rural areas of a country. |
| 3. | the people inhabiting these areas, esp. as a political, social, or economic group. |
| 4. | the origin or basis of something; the basic or primary concept, rule, part, or the like. |
[gras-roots, -roots, grahs-] 
| of, pertaining to, or involving the common people, esp. as contrasted with or separable from an elite: a grass-roots movement for nuclear disarmament. |
| grass roots pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)
|