pithy

pithy
pithy c.1300, "full of substance or significance," from PITH (Cf. pith) + -Y (Cf. -y) (2). Figurative sense is oldest; literal meaning "full of pith" not attested until 1560s. Related: Pithily.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Pithy — Pith y, a. [Compar. {Pithier}; superl. {Pithiest}.] 1. Consisting wholly, or in part, of pith; abounding in pith; as, a pithy stem; a pithy fruit. [1913 Webster] 2. Having nervous energy; forceful; cogent. [1913 Webster] This pithy speech… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pithy — I adjective brief, compact, compendious, compressed, concise, condensed, epigrammatic, full of meaning, gnomic, incisive, juicy, laconic, meaningful, meaty, medullosus, packed, pointed, sententious, substantial, succinct, summary, terse,… …   Law dictionary

  • pithy — summary, compendious, *concise, terse, succinct, laconic Analogous words: sententious, pregnant, meaningful, *expressive: *brief, short Contrasted words: flatulent, *inflated, tumid, turgid: prolix, diffuse, *wordy, verbose …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • pithy — [adj] brief, to the point cogent, compact, concise, crisp, curt, down to brass tacks*, effective, epigrammatic, expressive, honed, laconic, meaningful, meaty*, pointed, short, short and sweet*, significant, succinct, terse, trenchant; concept 267 …   New thesaurus

  • pithy — ► ADJECTIVE (pithier, pithiest) 1) (of a fruit or plant) containing much pith. 2) (of language or style) terse and vigorously expressive. DERIVATIVES pithily adverb pithiness noun …   English terms dictionary

  • pithy — [pith′ē] adj. pithier, pithiest 1. of, like, or full of pith 2. terse and full of substance or meaning SYN. CONCISE pithily adv. pithiness n …   English World dictionary

  • pithy — UK [ˈpɪθɪ] / US adjective Word forms pithy : adjective pithy comparative pithier superlative pithiest a pithy statement or piece of writing is short and very effective a pithy retort Derived word: pithily adverb …   English dictionary

  • pithy — pith|y [ˈpıθi] adj if something that is said or written is pithy, it is intelligent and strongly stated, without wasting any words ▪ Press releases must be short and pithy. ▪ a series of pithy quotations >pithily adv …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • pithy — [[t]pɪ̱θi[/t]] pithier, pithiest ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n A pithy comment or piece of writing is short, direct, and full of meaning. [WRITTEN] His pithy advice to young painters was, Above all, keep your colours fresh. ... Many of them made a point… …   English dictionary

  • pithy — pith|y [ pıθi ] adjective a pithy statement or piece of writing is short and very effective: a pithy retort ╾ pith|i|ly adverb …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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