GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Pith (?), n. [AS. pia; akin to D. pit pith, kernel, LG. peddik.  Cf. Pit a kernel.]
   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.
   
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   2. (a) (Zool.) The spongy interior substance of a feather. (b) (Anat.) The spinal cord; the marrow.
   
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   3. Hence: The which contains the strength of life; the vital or essential part; concentrated force; vigor; strength; importance; as, “the speech lacked pith”.
   
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   Enterprises of great pith and moment. Shak.
   
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   Pith paper. Same as Rice paper, under Rice.
   
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2.       
   Pith, v. 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.
   
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