First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1pith
noun \ˈpith\
: the white covering that is found under the skin of oranges, lemons, etc.
: the most important part of something
Full 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
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Origin of PITH
Middle English, from Old English pitha; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German pit pith, pit
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
Other Botany Terms
2pith
verb
Definition of PITH
transitive verb
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
PITH[1] Defined for Kids
pith
noun \ˈpith\
Definition of PITH for Kids
1
: the loose spongy tissue forming the center of the stem in most plants
2
: the important part <the pith of the problem>
Medical Dictionary
pith
transitive verb \ˈpith\
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
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