Nucleus Definition
no͝oklē-əs, nyo͝o-
nuclei, nucleuses
noun
nuclei, nucleuses
A thing or part forming the center around which other things or parts are grouped or collected; core.
Webster's New World
Anything serving as a center of growth or development.
The nucleus of a library.
Webster's New World
A group of nerve cells in the brain or spinal column.
Webster's New World
The central, usually spherical or oval mass of protoplasm present in most plant and animal cells, containing most of the hereditary material and necessary to such functions as growth, reproduction, etc.
Webster's New World
The bright, central part of the head of a comet.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- pivot
- focus
- hub
- nucleolus
- micronucleus
- meganucleus
- karyosome
- basichromatin
- heterochromatin
- macronucleus
- core group
- core
- karyon
- cell nucleus
- lens nucleus
Antonyms:
Origin of Nucleus
Latin nuculeus, nucleus kernel from nucula little nut diminutive of nux nuc- nut
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Latin nucleus (“kernel, core"), a diminutive of nux (“nut").
From Wiktionary
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