pith

¹pith

noun \ˈpith\

Definition of PITH

1

a : a usually continuous central strand of spongy tissue in the stems of most vascular plants that probably functions chiefly in storage

b : any of various loose spongy plant tissues that resemble true pith

c : the soft or spongy interior of a part of the body

2

a : the essential part : core

b : substantial quality (as of meaning)

3

: importance

Examples of PITH

1. <finally got to the pith of the discussion>

Origin of PITH

Middle English, from Old English pitha; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German pit pith, pit

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to PITH

Synonyms

bottom line, bull's-eye, centerpiece, core, essence, gist, heart, kernel, keynote, meat, meat and potatoes, net, nub, nubbin, nucleus, crux, pivot, point, root, sum

Related Words

course, direction, drift, tenor; body, content, substance; hypothesis, proposition, purport, subject, theme, thesis

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

Rhymes with PITH

fifth, frith, grith, kith, myth, smith, swith, with, withe

²pith

transitive verb

Definition of PITH

1

a : to kill (as cattle) by piercing or severing the spinal cord

b : to destroy the spinal cord or central nervous system of (as a frog) usually by passing a wire or needle up and down the vertebral canal

2

: to remove the pith from (a plant stem)

First Known Use of PITH

1805

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

pith

transitive verb \ˈpith\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PITH

1

: to kill (as cattle) by piercing or severing the spinal cord

2

: to destroy the spinal cord or central nervous system of (as a frog) usually by passing a wire or needle up and down the vertebral canal