Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Pith
1.
(Bot.)
The soft spongy substance in the center of the stems of many plants and trees, especially those of the dicotyledonous or exogenous classes. It consists of cellular tissue.
2.
(a)
(Zool.)
The spongy interior substance of a feather.
(b)
(Anat.)
The spinal cord; the marrow.
3.
Hence: The which contains the strength of life; the vital or essential part; concentrated force; vigor; strength; importance;
as, the speech lacked
. pith
Enterprises of great
pith
and moment. Shakespeare
Pith paper
. Same as
Rice paper
, under Rice
.Pith
,Verb.
T.
(Physiol.)
To destroy the central nervous system of (an animal, as a frog), as by passing a stout wire or needle up and down the vertebral canal.
Webster 1828 Edition
Pith
PITH
, n.1.
The soft spungy substance in the center of plants and trees.2.
In animals, the spinal marrow.3.
Strength or force.4.
Energy; cogency; concentrated force; closeness and vigor of thought and style.5.
Condensed substance or matter; quintessence. The summary contains the pith of the original.6.
Weight; moment; importance. Enterprises of great pith and moment.
Definition 2024
pith
pith
English
Noun
pith (uncountable)
- The soft, spongy substance in the center of the stems of many plants and trees.
- The spongy interior substance of a feather.
- The spinal cord; the marrow.
- The albedo of a citrus fruit.
- (figuratively) The essential or vital part.
- The pith of my idea is truth.
- Shakespeare
- enterprises of great pith and moment
Synonyms
- (essential or necessary part): core, essence, general tenor, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, kernel, marrow, meat, nitty-gritty, nub, quintessence, soul, spirit, stuff, substance
Related terms
Translations
soft spongy substance in the center of the stems of many plants and trees
albedo — see albedo
essential or vital part
Verb
pith (third-person singular simple present piths, present participle pithing, simple past and past participle pithed)
- (transitive) To extract the pith from (a plant stem or tree).
- (transitive) To kill (especially cattle or laboratory animals) by cutting or piercing the spinal cord.