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Definition of marrowbone

marrowbone

/ˈmær.oʊˌboʊn/
mar · row · bone
Plural:marrowbones
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marrowbone Lexical Profile

marrowbone Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large animal bone rich in edible marrow, often roasted or simmered to make rich broths, stocks, and soups.

Example

"The chef simmered a beef marrowbone for hours to create a rich, flavorful base for the stew."

2

A hollow bone containing marrow; in the plural, a humorous or archaic term for the knees.

Example

"The weary traveler dropped down upon his marrowbones to rest by the hearth."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for marrowbone

• Nearby Words

marriageable
married
marrow
marrowbone
marrowbones
marrubium
marry

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English as a compound of 'marrow' (from Old English mearg) and 'bone' (from Old English bān). The jocular plural sense meaning 'knees' arose in the 17th century, likely as a playful pun on 'Mary-bones' in reference to kneeling in prayer to the Virgin Mary.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Marrowbone. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/marrowbone
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