root n.
[Unix] 1. The superuser
account (with user name `root') that ignores permission bits,
user number 0 on a Unix system. The term avatar is also used. 2. The top node of the
system directory structure; historically the home directory of
the root user, but probably named after the root of an (inverted)
tree. 3. By extension, the privileged system-maintenance login on
any OS. See root mode, go root, see also wheel.