marrow
/ˈmærəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmærəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmer-(ˌ)ō ˈma-(ˌ)rō/ (ame, mw)
marrow — noun
- marrowsingular
- marrowsplural
1. the soft, fat-filled tissue found inside the hollow spaces of bones that produce
the soft, fat-filled tissue found inside the hollow spaces of bones that produces new blood cells for the body
The doctor took a small marrow sample from Felipe's hip bone to check for illness.
take a sample of marrow from [body part]
A bone marrow transplant gave Harper a second chance at life after the leukemia diagnosis.
collocation: bone marrow transplant
Nkechi learned in biology class that red blood cells are made inside the bone marrow.
After the crash, doctors checked whether the marrow in Élise's femur was still healthy.
Dogs love to chew on large bones, partly because of the rich marrow inside them.
- bone substance
far less common; strictly anatomical term
- medulla
technical medical term for the inner part of an organ, including bone marrow
文法句型
the marrow in [body part]
marrow + verb (is/makes/produces)
bone marrow + noun (transplant/donation/sample)
用法筆記
Uncountable — never used as 'marrows' in this sense. Common in medical compounds such as 'bone marrow transplant' and 'bone marrow donation'.
常見錯誤
2. an elongated summer squash with pale inner flesh and numerous seeds, usually coo
an elongated summer squash with pale inner flesh and numerous seeds, usually cooked before eating because the outer rind becomes tough when fully grown
Kian sliced the marrow and roasted it with garlic and herbs for a side dish.
roasted marrow as side dish
Gabriel harvested two large marrows from the garden and baked them with tomatoes and cheese.
Samir stuffed the hollowed marrow with rice, herbs, and minced lamb for a hearty dinner.
In rural England, some families grow marrows every summer and share them with neighbours.
- courgette
immature, smaller version of the same squash; eaten raw or lightly cooked
- zucchini
American English term for courgette
- summer squash
the broader category that includes marrows, courgettes, and yellow squash
文法句型
a marrow / marrows (plural)
marrow as food (usually uncountable)
stuffed / baked / roasted marrow
用法筆記
A British term. The same plant harvested young is called a 'courgette' (UK) or 'zucchini' (US). In Taiwan, large marrows are uncommon; 大櫛瓜 is the closest equivalent.
常見錯誤
3. the most important, central, or essential part of something — for example, the m
the most important, central, or essential part of something — for example, the marrow of a story, an argument, or a person's beliefs
Hugo's speech captured the very marrow of the community's fears about the new policy.
the very marrow of [abstract noun]
To understand the marrow of Indra's argument, you have to look past the emotional language.
the marrow of [someone's] argument
Lukas felt the endless meetings had drained the marrow from his working day.
The novel's power lies in the marrow of its human relationships, not its plot.
- surface
the outer or less important part of something
文法句型
the marrow of + noun phrase
the very marrow of [abstract noun]
用法筆記
Almost always found in the fixed structure 'the marrow of + noun'. Literary or formal register; in everyday speech, 'core', 'heart', or 'essence' is more natural.