n. & v.
--n.
1. spongy white tissue lining the rind of an orange, lemon, etc.
2 the essential part; the quintessence (came to the pith of his argument).
3 Bot. the spongy cellular tissue in the stems and branches of dicotyledonous plants.
4 a physical strength; vigour. b force; energy.
5 archaic spinal marrow.
--v.tr.
1. remove the pith or marrow from.
2 slaughter or immobilize (an animal) by severing the spinal cord.
Phrases and idioms:
pith helmet a lightweight sun-helmet made from the dried pith of the sola etc.
Derivatives:
pithless adj.
Etymology: OE pitha f. WG