root

essence foundation heart origin seed soul source stem stuff

basis bedrock beginnings bottom cause center crux derivation essentiality footing fountain fountainhead fundamental germ ground groundwork inception infrastructure mainspring marrow motive nub nucleus occasion pith provenance provenience quick quintessence radicle radix reason rhizome seat substance substratum tuber underpinning well

rock bottom starting point

effect end result

conclusion consequence exterior exteriority extra outgrowth outside trivia

derivation derivative sprout

embed ingrain

burrow delve ferret forage grub hunt lodge nose place poke pry rummage

grub up

cover dislodge leave alone