Pith



GRE Barron

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n. 精髓, 要点
• ［英］ n. 精髓, 要点 ( the essential part; core)
• ［类］ 反义词: superficial element ( 表面的因素) ; insignificant part ( 不重要的部分)
• ［例］ an argument without pith

Webster Collegiate

I. 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 body
• 2.
  • a. the essential part ; core
  • b. substantial quality (as of meaning)
• 3. importance

II. transitive verb

• Date: 1805
• 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)

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