____ canal (4)
'canal' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for erie that I've seen before include "Great lake in Eire" , "One of the Great Lakes" , "Lake between Canada and the US" , "A Great American lake - sounds spooky" , "North american lake sounds spooky" .)
(Other definitions for root that I've seen before include "Basic source or origin" , "radical" , "Organ that anchors plants in the ground" , "Origin; carrot perhaps" , "Rhizome" .)