gist
n 1: the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
[syn: {effect}, {essence}, {burden}, {core}]
2: 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}, {heart}, {inwardness}, {marrow},
{meat}, {nub}, {pith}, {sum}, {nitty-gritty}]