MEAT

noun Etymology: Middle English mete, from Old English; akin to Old High German maz food Date: before 12th century 1. food , the edible part of something as distinguished from its covering (as a husk or shell), animal tissue considered especially as food:, flesh 2b, flesh 1a, meal I,1, 4. the core of something ; heart , pith 2b , favorite pursuit or interest, ~ed adjective ~less adjective