Definition: marrow

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

marrow
     n 1: the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the
          cavities of bones [syn: bone marrow]
     2: any of various squash plants grown for their elongated fruit
        with smooth dark green skin and whitish flesh [syn: marrow
        squash, vegetable marrow]
     3: very tender and very nutritious tissue from marrowbones
        [syn: bone marrow]
     4: large elongated squash with creamy to deep green skins [syn:
         vegetable marrow]
     5: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some
        idea or experience: "the gist of the prosecutor's
        argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party";
        "the nub of the story" [syn: kernel, substance, core,
         center, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness,
         meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Marrow \Mar"row\, n. [OE. marou, mary, maruh, AS. mearg, mearh;
   akin to OS. marg, D. merg, G. Mark, OHG. marg, marag, Icel.
   mergr, Sw. merg, Dan. marv, Skr. majjan; cf. Skr. majj to
   sink, L. mergere. [root]274 Cf. Merge.]
   1. (Anat.) The tissue which fills the cavities of most bones;
      the medulla. In the larger cavities it is commonly very
      fatty, but in the smaller cavities it is much less fatty,
      and red or reddish in color.

   2. The essence; the best part.

            It takes from our achievements . . . The pith and
            marrow of our attribute.              --Shak.

   3. [OE. maru, maro; -- perh. a different word; cf. Gael.
      maraon together.] One of a pair; a match; a companion; an
      intimate associate. [Scot.]

            Chopping and changing I can not commend, With thief
            or his marrow, for fear of ill end.   --Tusser.

   Marrow squash (Bot.), a name given to several varieties of
      squash, esp. to the Boston marrow, an ovoid fruit,
      pointed at both ends, and with reddish yellow flesh, and
      to the vegetable marrow, a variety of an ovoid form, and
      having a soft texture and fine grain resembling marrow.

   Spinal marrow. (Anat.) See Spinal cord, under Spinal.
Marrow \Mar"row\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Marrowed; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Marrowing.]
   To fill with, or as with, marrow of fat; to glut.