Main Entry:

¹pith

Pronunciation:

\ˈpith\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

before 12th century

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 body2 a: the essential part : core b: substantial quality (as of meaning)3: importance