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Pith vs Medullary - What's the difference?

pith | medullary |

As a noun pith

is the soft, spongy substance in the center of the stems of many plants and trees.

As a verb pith

is to extract the pith from (a plant stem or tree).

As an adjective medullary is

pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, marrow or medulla.

pith

English

Noun

(-)
  • 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.
  • (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

    * pith helmet * pithy * pith and substance

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To extract the pith from (a plant stem or tree).
  • To kill (especially cattle or laboratory animals) by cutting or piercing the spinal cord.

    • medullary

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (anatomy) Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, marrow or medulla.
  • (botany) Filled with spongy pith; pithy.

    • Derived terms

    * medullary sheath

    References

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