nucleus
noun/ˈnjuːkliəs/
/ˈnuːkliəs/
(plural nuclei
/ˈnjuːkliaɪ/
/ˈnuːkliaɪ/
)- (physics) the part of an atom that contains most of its mass and that carries a positive electric charge see also neutron, protonTopics Physics and chemistryc1
- (biology) the central part of some cells, containing the genetic materialTopics Biologyc1
- the central part of something around which other parts are located or collected
- These paintings will form the nucleus of a new collection.
Word Originearly 18th cent.: from Latin, literally ‘kernel, inner part’, diminutive of nux, nuc- ‘nut’.
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nucleus