marrow

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈmæɹəʊ/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmæɹoʊ/, /ˈmeɹoʊ/, /ˈmɛɹoʊ/
• Rhymes: -ærəʊ

Noun

marrow (plural marrows)

Transected beef bones, exposing the marrow inside

Vegetable marrows

1. (uncountable) The substance inside bones which produces blood cells.
   • 1914, Louis Joseph Vance, Nobody, chapter III:

     Turning back, then, toward the basement staircase, she began to grope her way through blinding darkness, but had taken only a few uncertain steps when, of a sudden, she stopped short and for a little stood like a stricken thing, quite motionless save that she quaked to her very marrow in the grasp of a great and enervating fear.

2. (countable) A kind of vegetable like a large courgette/zucchini or squash.
   • 1847, Sir Robert Hermann Schomburgk, "Steam-Boat Voyage to Barbados", Bentley's Miscellany, Vol XXII, London: Richard Bentley, p.37:

     The finest European vegetables, cabbages, cauliflowers, potatoes, vegetable marrow, were lying in the market-hall, awaiting purchasers.

3. The essence; the best part.
   • William Shakespeare (c.1564–1616)

     It takes from our achievements […] / The pith and marrow of our attribute.

   • Thomas Tusser (1524-1580)

     Chopping and changing I cannot commend, / With thief or his marrow, for fear of ill end.

Alternative forms

• marra

Noun

marrow (plural marrows)

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

   Cheers marrow!

2. (Scotland) One of a pair; a match; a companion; an intimate associate.

Derived terms

• half-marrow

References

• A Dictionary of North East Dialect, Bill Griffiths, 2005, Northumbria University Press, →ISBN
• Northumberland Words, English Dialect Society, R. Oliver Heslop, 1893–4
• A List of words and phrases in everyday use by the natives of Hetton-le-Hole in the County of Durham, F.M.T.Palgrave, English Dialect Society vol.74, 1896,