nucleus
nucleus Lexical Profile
nucleus Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The central and most important part of an object, movement, or group, forming the basis for its activity and growth.
"These three rare manuscripts formed the nucleus of the university's special collections library."
The positively charged central core of an atom, consisting of protons and neutrons and containing nearly all of its mass.
"Electrons orbit the dense nucleus of an atom at extremely high speeds."
A dense, membrane-bound organelle present in most eukaryotic cells, typically a single rounded structure containing the genetic material.
"Under the microscope, the dark-stained nucleus was clearly visible inside each plant cell."
A discrete cluster of neurons in the central nervous system having a specific anatomical location and physiological function.
"The suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus regulates the body's circadian rhythms."
The solid, central body of ice, rock, and dust that forms the core of a comet's head.
"As the comet approached the sun, solar radiation heated its icy nucleus and produced a bright coma."
Word Nuance & Usage
The traditional Latin plural 'nuclei' is strongly preferred in scientific and academic contexts over the regularized plural 'nucleuses'.
• Rhymes for nucleus
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 18th century directly from Latin 'nucleus', meaning 'kernel' or 'inner part of a nut', a contraction of 'nuculeus', the diminutive of 'nux' ('nut').