Noah Webster
Pith
PITH, noun
1. The soft spungy substance in the center of plants and trees.
2. In animals, the spinal marrow.
3. Strength or force.
4. Energy; cogency; concentrated force; closeness and vigor of thought and style.
5. Condensed substance or matter; quintessence. The summary contains the pith of the original.
6. Weight; moment; importance.
Enterprises of great pith and moment.