# pith

> English word · Noun · IPA /pɪθ/ · frequency rank #55,647

## Definitions
1. The soft, spongy substance inside plant parts; specifically, the parenchyma in the centre of the roots and stems of many plants and trees.
2. The albedo (“whitish inner portion of the rind”) of a citrus fruit.
3. Senses relating to humans and animals.
4. Senses relating to humans and animals.
5. Senses relating to humans and animals.
6. Senses relating to humans and animals.
7. The soft inner portion of a loaf of bread.
8. The central or innermost part of something; the core, the heart.
9. The essential or vital part of something; the essence.
10. Physical power or strength; force, might.
11. A quality of courage and endurance; backbone, mettle, spine.
12. The energy, force, or power of speech or writing; specifically, such force or power due to conciseness; punch, punchiness.
13. Chiefly in of (great) pith and moment: gravity, importance, substance, weight.

## Etymology
The noun is derived from Middle English pith, pithe (“soft interior; pith, pulp”) [and other forms], from Old English piþa [and other forms], from Proto-Germanic *piþô, from earlier *piþō (oblique *pittan); further etymology unknown. Doublet of pit (“seed or stone inside a fruit”).
The verb Middle English pethen (“to give courage or strength”), derived from the noun pith (noun), did not survive into modern English.
Cognates
* Dutch peen (“carrot”)
* Middle Low German peddek, peddik, piddek (“bone marrow; medulla; spinal cord; inner part of a horn or quill; (figurative) core, essence”) (the last spelling rare) (Low German Peddik (“core; pulp”))
* West Frisian piid (“pulp, kernel”)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/pith