Juur

Juur is a common noun in Estonian meaning "root." It refers primarily to the part of a plant that anchors the organism in the soil and absorbs water and nutrients. Beyond botany, juur can be used in a more general sense to denote the source or origin of something, in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

In mathematics, juur denotes the idea of a root in a broad sense. The standard term for the square root is ruutjuur, while juur is used when speaking more generally about roots of numbers or equations in everyday language or in broader mathematical discussion.

Etymology and related forms: the Estonian word juur is of Finnic origin and is cognate with Finnish juuri. The term is part of a family of words across Finnic languages that express the notion of a root or origin. In modern Estonian, juur retains its primary botanical meaning while also serving as a flexible linguistic base for discussing roots in non-botanical contexts.