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Definition of nucleic

nucleic

/nuːˈkliː.ɪk/
nu · cle · ic
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nucleic Lexical Profile

nucleic Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Of, relating to, or derived from a cell nucleus or its genetic macromolecular components, especially in the phrase 'nucleic acid'.

Example

"Deoxyribonucleic acid is a complex nucleic macromolecule that carries the genetic instructions for all known cellular organisms."

Word Nuance & Usage

Used almost exclusively in the biochemical compound 'nucleic acid' (such as DNA and RNA); for general references to a cell nucleus or atomic nucleus, 'nuclear' is the standard adjective.

• Rhymes for nucleic

• Nearby Words

nuble
nuclear
nuclearize
nucleic
nucleus
nuclidic
nude

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century (originally in German as 'Nukleinsäure' by Richard Altmann in 1889) from 'nuclein'—the phosphorus-rich substance first isolated from cell nuclei by Friedrich Miescher—combined with the chemical suffix '-ic'.

Cite this Entry

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