marrow

plural marrows

1. uncountableThe substance inside bones which produces blood cells.

   Chop me up, I like to be hurt / Drink my marrow and blood for dessert

   2004, “Eaten”, in Nightmares Made Flesh, performed by Bloodbath

   1 more example

   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.

   1914 November, Louis Joseph Vance, “An Outsider […]”, in Munsey’s Magazine, volume LIII, number II, New York, N.Y.: The Frank A[ndrew] Munsey Company, […], published 1915, →OCLC, chapter III (Accessory After the Fact), page 382, column 1

2. countableuncountableA kind of vegetable similar to a large courgette, zucchini or squash; the mature fruit of certain Cucurbita pepo cultivars.

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

   1847, Sir Robert Hermann Schomburgk, “Steam-Boat Voyage to Barbados”, in Bentley's Miscellany, volume XXII, London: Richard Bentley, page 37

3. countableuncountableThe pith of certain plants.
4. countablefigurativelyuncountableThe essence; the best part.

   I cannot commend , with theefe of his marrow, for feare of ill end

   1557 February 13 (Gregorian calendar), Thomas Tusser, A Hundreth Good Pointes of Husbandrie, London: […] Richard Tottel, →OCLC; republished London: […] Robert Triphook, […], and William Sancho, […], 1810, →OCLC

   1 more example

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

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]

   Synonyms: crux, gist, bowels, sum, brass tacks, core, crux, essence

5. countablefigurativelyuncountableThe inner meaning or purpose.
6. colloquialcountablemedicineBone marrow biopsy.

   This patient will have a marrow today.

7. obsoleteuncountableSemen.

   Parolles: He wears his honour in a box, unseen / That hugs his kicky-wicky here at home, / Spending his manly marrow in her arms / Of Mars’s fiery steed.

   c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]

plural marrows · alternative marra

1. GeordieinformalA friend, pal, buddy, mate.

   Cheers marrow!

2. obsoleteslangbusinessA miner's mate or assistant.

   A 'getter' or miner is paid 1½ to 2 cents per hundred weight of Coals excavated, […] but out of this sum, his "marrows" or assistants who do the business of 'putting' and 'hurrying' for him must be paid […]

   1855, Mining Magazine, page 519

3. ScotlandarchaicOne of a pair; a match; a companion; an intimate associate.

   The dreichest saul could see he had sunlicht in his ee, / And there's no his marrow left in the toun.

   The most cheerless soul could see he had sunlight in his eye, / And there's none his equal left in the town.

   [1917, John Buchan, “[Theocritus in Scots.] The Kirn (Idyll vii).”, in Poems: Scots and English (in Scots), London; Edinburgh: T. C. & E. C. Jack, →OCLC, book I (Scots), page 38

   1 more example

   The moon’s my constant Mistresse / & the lowlie owle my morrowe. / The flaming Drake and yͤ Nightcrowe make / mee musicke to my sorrowe.

   c. 1620, anonymous, “Tom o’ Bedlam’s Song” in Giles Earle his Booke (British Museum, Additional MSS. 24, 665)

plural Marrows

1. A surname.