Marrow

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ærəʊ

Middle English mary, marow, marowe, marowȝ, from Old English mearg, from Proto-Germanic *mazgą, *mazgaz, from Proto-Indo-European *mozgos. See Dutch merg and Russian мозг ("brain").

Full definition of marrow

Noun

1. (uncountable) The substance inside bones which produces blood cells.
2. (countable) A kind of vegetable like a large courgette/zucchini or squash.
• 1847 Sir Robert Schomburgh, Steam-Boat Voyage to Barbados, Bentley's Miscellany, Vol XXII, London: Richard Bentley, page 37.The finest European vegetables, cabbages, cauliflowers, potatoes, vegetable marrow, were lying in the market-hall, awaiting purchasers.
3. The essence; the best part.
• ShakespeareIt takes from our achievements ...
  The pith and marrow of our attribute.
4. (Scotland) One of a pair; a match; a companion; an intimate associate.
• TusserChopping and changing I cannot commend,
  With thief or his marrow, for fear of ill end.

Derived terms

• bone marrow
• marrowbone

Related terms

From Old Norse margr.

Alternative forms

• marra

Noun

1. (Geordie, informal) A friend, pal, buddy, mate.Cheers marrow!