Root

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The Jargon File Parts of this article are based on the Jargon File, v. 4.4.7, a public domain document of hacker jargon.

root

Usage: n. Etymology: Unix Derivation: Unix See Also: root mode, go root, wheel

root: n.

1. [Unix] 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.

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