pith

Meanings

Noun

• soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants
• the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

Verb

• remove the pith from (a plant)

Synonyms

center, centre, core, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, kernel, marrow, meat, nitty-gritty, nub, substance, sum