pith: Meaning and Definition of

pith

1. the soft, spongy central cylinder of parenchymatous tissue in the stems of dicotyledonous plants.
2. the soft inner part of a feather, a hair, etc.
3. the important or essential part; essence; core; heart: the pith of the matter.
4. significant weight; substance; solidity: an argument without pith.
5. spinal cord or bone marrow.
6. strength, force, or vigor; mettle: men of pith.

1. to remove the pith from (plants).
2. to destroy the spinal cord or brain of.
3. to slaughter, as cattle, by severing the spinal cord.