nub

n 1: a small lump or protuberance

2: a small piece; "a nub of coal" or "a stub of a pencil" [syn:

{stub}]

3: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some

idea or experience: "the gist of the prosecutor's

argument"; "the nub of the story" [syn: {kernel}, {substance},

{core}, {center}, {essence}, {gist}, {heart}, {inwardness},

{marrow}, {meat}, {pith}, {sum}, {nitty-gritty}]