marrow

¹

[mar-oh]

noun

1. Anatomy.,  a soft, fatty, vascular tissue in the interior cavities of bones that is a major site of blood cell production.

2. the inmost or essential part.

   to pierce to the marrow of a problem.

3. strength or vitality.

   Fear took the marrow out of him.

4. rich and nutritious food.

5. Chiefly British.,  vegetable marrow.

marrow

²

[mar-oh, mar-uh]

noun

Scot. and North England.

1. a partner; fellow worker.

2. a spouse; helpmate.

3. a companion; close friend.

marrow

¹

/ ˈmærəʊ /

noun

1. the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones

2. the vital part; essence

3. vitality

4. rich food

5. short for vegetable marrow

marrow

²

/ ˈmærəʊ, -rə /

noun

1. dialect,  a companion, esp a workmate

marrow

1. See bone marrow

marrow

1. The soft, specialized connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones. One kind of bone marrow is responsible for manufacturing red blood cells in the body.

Other Word Forms

• marrowish adjective
• marrowless adjective
• marrowy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of marrow¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English marw(e), marwa, Old English mearg, merg; cognate with Dutch merg, German Mark, Old Norse mergr

Origin of marrow²

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English marwe, maro(we), “fellow worker, partner,” perhaps from Old Norse margr “many; friendly”

Word History and Origins

Origin of marrow¹

Old English mærg; related to Old Frisian merg, Old Norse mergr

Origin of marrow²

C15 marwe fellow worker, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic margr friendly

Example Sentences

The meal began with my favorite dish of the night: bone marrow with short rib marmalade, pickled mustard seeds, watercress salad, and crispy baguette.

From Salon

The former Labour party leader, who has recently launched an as-yet-unnamed rival party, has regularly talked about his love of growing crops at his north London plot, where his favourite vegetable is the marrow.

From BBC

Ong has a rare bone marrow cancer, and the court previously allowed him to travel abroad for medical and work purposes.

From BBC

She said the bone marrow transplant could cure her condition but without it her health could deteriorate.

From BBC

I don’t know why, but Billy Joel’s “Vienna” came to mind, perhaps because it’s always embodied a desire to find adventure in this city and soak the marrow out of life.

From Los Angeles Times