Synonyms:
kernel, substance, core, center, centre, essence, gist, heart, heart_and_soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty
Meaning: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story"
Synonyms:
kernel
Meaning: a single whole grain of a cereal; "a kernel of corn"
Synonyms:
kernel, meat
Meaning: the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone; "black walnut kernels are difficult to get out of the shell"
Usage examples
'Under rough bark lies smooth wood and sweet kernel,' replied the old woman.
If we continue to unshell the kernel, we find, below this mineral layer, a last silken tunic that forms a globe around the brood.
Then, when you found you couldn't eat the kernel, that you couldn't get rid of the swag without assistance, you came to me to help you.
You had got the kernel yourself, and thought that I had taken all the trouble to crack the nut and had found myself with nothing but the shell.