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

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Other Botany Terms

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

Rhymes with PITH

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