Definition

Noun: 1. A bone containing edible marrow: Specifically, a bone, typically a long bone from a mammal, that contains soft, fatty tissue (marrow) inside its cavity. This marrow is considered a delicacy or used for flavoring. 2. (plural: marrowbones) The knees: An informal or humorous term referring to the knees, particularly in the context of kneeling.

Usage

• The primary use refers to the culinary item: a bone valued for the marrow inside it.
• The plural form "marrowbones" is used in the idiomatic expression related to kneeling.

Examples

• As a bone for cooking:
  • The recipe calls for a beef marrowbone to enrich the broth.
  • She roasted the marrowbone and spread the marrow on toast.
• Referring to knees (plural form):
  • The old man complained about his aching marrowbones.
  • He went down on his marrowbones to propose.

Advanced Usage

• "to get down on one's marrowbones": An idiomatic and somewhat old-fashioned or humorous way to say "to kneel down," often implying supplication, prayer, or a humble request.
  • He had to get down on his marrowbones to beg for forgiveness.

Variants and Related Words

• Marrow (noun): The soft, fatty vascular tissue in the cavities of bones. This is the substance for which the marrowbone is valued.
• Bone marrow (noun phrase): A more clinical or general term for the marrow tissue itself.

Synonyms

• For the bone: marrow bone (often written as two words).
• For the knees (in the idiom): knees.

Related Idioms

• "on one's marrowbones": In a kneeling position.
  • He was on his marrowbones, searching for the lost ring under the table.

Noun

1. a bone containing edible marrow; used especially in flavoring soup