English Explanatory Dictionary

marrow

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The substance inside bones which produces blood cells.
  2. A kind of vegetable similar to a large courgette, zucchini or squash; the mature fruit of certain Cucurbita pepo cultivars.
  3. The pith of certain plants.
  4. The essence; the best part.
  5. The inner meaning or purpose.
  6. Bone marrow biopsy.
  7. Semen.
noun
  1. A friend, pal, buddy, mate.
  2. A miner's mate or assistant.
  3. One of a pair; a match; a companion; an intimate associate.
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

/ˈmæɹəʊ/ mărʹō /ˈmæɹoʊ/ /ˈmɛ(ə)ɹoʊ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-marrow.wav

Word forms

marrow marrows marra

Etymology

From Middle English mary, marow, marwe, marowȝ, from Old English mearg, from Proto-West Germanic *maʀg, from Proto-Germanic *mazgą, *mazgaz, from Proto-Indo-European *mosgʰos. Compare West Frisian moarch, Dutch merg, German Mark, Swedish märg, Icelandic mergur, and also Russian мозг (mozg, “brain”), Polish mózg (“brain”), Ashkun amōźã, Kamkata-viri muč, muj, Waigali muj, Persian مغز (maġz, “brain”), Sanskrit मज्जन् (majján). Doublet of maghaz.

Synonyms

crux gist bowels sum brass tacks core essence drift guts gravamen heart heart and soul heartstring heartstrings inwardness kernel marrow meat moral of the story nitty-gritty nub nuts and bolts pith punctum saliens quintessence soul spirit stuff substance tenor

Related words

courgette cucumber gherkin gourd pickle squash zucchini

Derived words

bone marrow Boston marrow marrowbone marrowfat marrow gut marrowish marrowless marrowlike marrow smear marrow squash marrowy mountain marrow red marrow spinal marrow starvation marrow to the marrow vegetable marrow half-marrow
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