apple-core

A child places an apple-core on the compost pile.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The central part of an apple that contains the seeds and is typically not eaten.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She threw the apple-core into the compost bin. (The leftover central part of the apple after eating the flesh.)
  • Birds often peck at an apple-core left on the ground. (The seed-containing center of the fruit.)

Advanced Usage

• "apple-core" can be used metaphorically to refer to the essential or leftover part of something.
  • After the argument, only the apple-core of their friendship remained. (The fundamental but damaged core of their relationship.)

Variants and Related Words

• Apple (n): the whole fruit.

  • He ate a fresh apple for a snack. (The entire fruit, including the skin and flesh.)

• Core (n): the central part of a fruit or object.

  • The apple's core is hard and contains seeds. (The innermost part of the apple.)

Synonyms

• Core: the central part of a fruit.
• Seed pod: the part of a fruit containing seeds (less common for apples).

Phrasal Verbs

• Core out: to remove the core from a fruit.
  • She cored out the apple before slicing it. (She removed the core from the apple.)

Related Idioms

• To the core: completely or thoroughly.
  • He was shaken to the core by the news. (He was deeply affected emotionally.)
  • Her apple-core was rotten to the core. (The central part of the apple was spoiled.)