pith
pith definition
pith (pit̸h)
noun
- the soft, spongy tissue in the center of certain plant stems
- the soft core of various other things, as of a bone or feather
- the spongy, fibrous tissue lining the rind and surrounding the sections of an orange, grapefruit, etc.
- the essential part; substance; gist
- importance: now usually in of great pith and moment
- Archaic strength; vigor; force
Etymology: ME pithe < OE pitha, akin to MDu pitte, pit of a fruit, kernel, pith of a tree
transitive verb
- to remove the pith from (a plant stem)
- to pierce or sever the spinal cord of (an animal) in order to kill it or make it insensible for experimental purposes
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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