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

She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia with a rare mutation known as Inversion 3 and has undergone several treatments, including chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Despite treatment, including a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy, she says doctors have told her the outcome does not look good.

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The bone marrow usually operates quietly and goes largely unnoticed.

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Every moment, the bone marrow generates millions of fresh blood and immune cells.

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Then the real impact of the radiation strikes, with grisly symptoms that range from hair loss and extreme fatigue to the destruction of bone marrow and internal bleeding.

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