ker|nel

ker|nel
ker|nel «KUR nuhl», noun.
1. the softer part inside the hard shell of a nut or inside the stone of a fruit: »

As brown in hue as hazel nuts and sweeter than the kernels (Shakespeare).

2. the body of a seed within its coating; embryo, and, when present, the albumen or endosperm. SYNONYM(S): core, nucleus.
3. a grain or seed like that of wheat or corn.
4. Figurative. the central or most important part of anything, around which it is formed or built up; gist: »

He does discern clearly wherein lies, for him, the true kernel of the matter (Thomas Carlyle).

5. a cell nucleus.
[Old English cyrnel < corn seed, grain + -el, a diminutive suffix]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • ker·nel — /ˈkɚnl̩/ noun, pl nels [count] 1 a : the small, somewhat soft part inside a seed or nut 1 b : a whole seed; especially : one of the yellow seeds that cover an ear of corn a kernel of corn 2 : a very small amount of something …   Useful english dictionary

  • ker — ker·a·lan; ker·a·sin; ker·a·ter·pe·ton; ker·a·tin; ker·a·tin·i·za·tion; ker·a·tin·ize; ker·a·ti·tis; ker·a·to·conjunctivitis; ker·a·to·der·ma; ker·a·to·gen·ic; ker·a·tog·e·nous; ker·a·toid; ker·a·toi·dea; Ker·a·tol; ker·a·tol·y·sis;… …   English syllables

  • nel — ach·a·ti·nel·la; ae·gyp·tia·nel·lo·sis; am·bly·si·pho·nel·la; an·nel·i·da; an·nel·i·des; an·ti·per·son·nel; as·te·ri·o·nel·la; bas·sa·nel·lo; bo·nel·lia; bru·nel·lia; ca·nel·la; can·nel; can·nel·lat·ed; can·nel·oid; can·nel·lo·ni; chan·nel·er;… …   English syllables

  • kernel — ker·nel …   English syllables

  • kernelly — ker·nel·ly …   English syllables

  • kernel — ker•nel [[t]ˈkɜr nl[/t]] n. v. neled, nel•ing (esp. brit.) nelled, nel•ling. 1) bot the softer, usu. edible part contained in the shell of a nut or the stone of a fruit 2) bot the body of a seed within its husk 3) the central or most important… …   From formal English to slang

  • kernel — ker|nel [ˈkə:nl US ˈkə:r ] n [: Old English; Origin: cyrnel, from corn; CORN] 1.) the part of a nut or seed inside the shell or the part inside the stone of some fruits 2.) [usually singular] one of the small yellow pieces on a corn ↑cob 3.)… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • kernel — ker|nel [ kɜrnl ] noun count 1. ) the soft part inside a nut or a seed 2. ) the central or most important part of something: This paragraph contains the kernel of the argument. a ) kernel of truth/wisdom etc. a very small part of something that… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • kernellate — ker·nel·late …   English syllables

  • Kernel — Ker nel, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Kerneled}or {Kernelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Kerneling} or {Kernelling}.] To harden or ripen into kernels; to produce kernels …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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