Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pith

/pɪθ/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.46 in modern English

Syllables
pith
IPA
/pɪθ/
9
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The soft, spongy substance inside plant parts; specifically, the parenchyma in the centre of the roots and stems of many plants and trees.

Uncountable

noun

The albedo (“whitish inner portion of the rind”) of a citrus fruit.

Uncountable

noun

Senses relating to humans and animals.

Uncountable

noun

Senses relating to humans and animals.

Uncountable

noun

Senses relating to humans and animals.

Obsolete; Uncountable

noun

Senses relating to humans and animals.

Obsolete; Uncountable

noun

The soft inner portion of a loaf of bread.

Uncountable

noun

The central or innermost part of something; the core, the heart.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

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 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”)

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /pɪθ/
  • British English: /pɪθ/

Usage

Subject

Wiktionary places this term in Medicine.

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce pith?
The recorded pronunciation is /pɪθ/.
What does pith mean?
The soft, spongy substance inside plant parts; specifically, the parenchyma in the centre of the roots and stems of many plants and trees.
Where does pith come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce pith

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “pith”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/pɪθ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “pith”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “pith” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.