grassroots

grass·roots

[gras-roots, -roots, grahs-]
noun (used with a singular or plural verb) . Also, grass roots.
1.
the common or ordinary people, especially 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, especially as a political, social, or economic group.
4.
the origin or basis of something; the basic or primary concept, rule, part, or the like.
adjective Also, grass-roots.
5.
of, pertaining to, or involving the common people, especially as contrasted with or separable from an elite: a grassroots movement for nuclear disarmament.
00:10
Grassroots is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.

Origin:
1910–15 Americanism for def 1

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Slang Dictionary

grassroots definition


  1. n.
    the common people, especially rural people. : We really haven't heard anything from the grassroots yet.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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