pith etymology

Etymology:

• Old English "piða" (feminine), ultimately from Proto-Germanic "*piduz" (masculine)
• Proto-Germanic "piduz" is related to Proto-Indo-European "peth-" (to spread), which is also the root of "petal" and "pathetic"

Meaning and Origin:

Noun:

• The soft, spongy center of a plant stem
• The core or essential part of something
• A brief, pithy saying or remark

Verb:

• To remove the pith from (a plant stem)

Usage:

The noun "pith" can be used in various contexts:

• Botanical: The soft, innermost part of a plant stem that supports and transports water and nutrients.
• Figurative: The essential or most important part of something, such as the core of an argument or belief.
• Informal: A concise, witty saying or remark.

The verb "pith" is used primarily in botanical contexts to describe the removal of the soft, spongy center from a plant stem.

Examples:

• "The rose stem has a hollow pith."
• "The pith of the matter is that we need to find a solution."
• "The orator's speech was filled with pithy remarks."
• "Pith the rhubarb before cooking it."

pith relate terms

• pith

  Etymology Old English piða feminine ultimately from Proto Germanic piduz masc

• pithy

  Etymology From Middle English pithie from Old French pitiei meaning merciful pi

• pith

  Etymology Old English piða feminine ultimately from Proto Germanic piduz masc

• kernel

  Etymology The word kernel has its roots in the Germanic language family It is derived

• substance

  Etymology The word substance is derived from the Latin word substantia which means

• core

  Core Etymology From Middle English cor core from Old English cōr from Proto

• taper

  Etymology Late Latin taperium taper Old French taper to tap Latin tappare t

• coke

  Etymology The word coke has two distinct etymologies 1 From Spanish Derived fr

• pulp

  Etymology Middle English pulp from Anglo Norman French pulpe representing Middle Dut

• rice

  Etymology The word rice comes from the Middle English word rys which is derived fro

• essence

  Etymology Old French essence Medieval Latin essentia from Latin esse meaning to be

• quintessence

  Etymology From Late Latin quintessentia fifth essence from Latin quinta essentia