pith
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/pɪθ/
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The soft, spongy core inside a plant stem or similar structure.
Examples
In a classroom demonstration, the teacher highlighted the pith as the inner tissue of the stem.
MRI scans show that the pith of the spinal cord is surrounded by white matter.
The botanist sliced the stem to show the pith surrounded by the harder bark.
Researchers discovered that the pith contains a high concentration of glial cells.
The nutrition label mentions that the pith contains most of the fruit’s vitamin C.
Similar words
coreinner brain tissue
nub
gray matter
white rind
central nervous tissue
central core
medulla
gist
central cylinder
Meanings
Examples
The botanist sliced the stem to show the pith surrounded by the harder bark.
Young seedlings have a soft pith that stores water for the plant.
When the stem is cut, the white pith can be seen in cross-section.
The researcher noted that the pith of the herbaceous plant was unusually thin.
In a classroom demonstration, the teacher highlighted the pith as the inner tissue of the stem.
Some gardeners remove the pith to reduce the weight of large ornamental stems.
The drought-tolerant species keeps a large pith to hold moisture.
Similar words
cortex
coremedulla
parenchyma
inner tissue
central cylinder
spongy layer
Examples
When zesting the orange, the chef carefully avoided the bitter pith.
The recipe calls for the white pith of the lemon to be removed before juicing.
A child once tasted the pith of a grapefruit and made a funny face.
The nutrition label mentions that the pith contains most of the fruit’s vitamin C.
In traditional medicine, the pith of certain citrus fruits is used as a mild laxative.
The bartender scraped off the pith to keep the cocktail from turning bitter.
Scientists studied how the pith protects the inner flesh from UV light.
Similar words
albedo
inner membrane
white rind
spongy layer
citrus membrane
inner peel
inner rind
Examples
The pith of his speech was the call for unity.
She stripped the article down to its pith, leaving only the main point.
In a debate, the moderator asked each contestant to get to the pith quickly.
The novel’s pith lies in its exploration of human resilience.
When summarizing the report, the analyst highlighted the pith of each section.
The teacher praised the student for capturing the pith of the theory in one sentence.
Even after many edits, the essay retained its original pith.
Similar words
essence
coreheart
gist
substance
crux
nub
Examples
MRI scans show that the pith of the spinal cord is surrounded by white matter.
In neuroanatomy, the pith refers to the soft central region of the brain.
Damage to the pith can impair signal transmission between brain regions.
The surgeon avoided the pith while removing a tumor from the spinal cord.
Researchers discovered that the pith contains a high concentration of glial cells.
During development, the pith of the brain expands to form the cerebral cortex.
A biopsy of the pith revealed no signs of disease.
Similar words
medulla
central core
gray matter
central region
spinal core
central nervous tissue
inner brain tissue
Etymology
From Old English pitha; Middle English forms pith(e) and pitthe; cognate with Dutch pit.
FAQ
It is the soft, spongy core inside a plant stem or similar structure.
What is the pith of a plant stem?
The pith is the soft, spongy central cylinder of tissue inside most flowering plant stems.
What is the pith in a citrus fruit?
It is the white, spongy inner layer of the rind between the zest and the juicy flesh.
What does it mean when someone refers to the pith of an argument?
They mean the most important or essential part, the core or gist of the idea.
What part of the nervous system is called the pith?
The pith is the soft, central region of the spinal cord or brain that contains white matter.
What are common synonyms for pith in the botanical sense?
Synonyms include cortex, core, medulla, parenchyma, and central cylinder.
How does the pith differ from the cortex in a plant?
The pith is the inner soft cylinder, while the cortex is the outer layer of tissue surrounding it.
Where does the word pith come from?
It derives from Old English pitha, with Middle English forms pith(e) and pitthe, and is cognate with Dutch pit.
Is the pith the same as the medulla in the spinal cord?
No, the pith refers to the central soft region, whereas the medulla is a distinct structure.
The citrus pith is edible but has a bitter taste and is often removed.
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