Nuclei — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Nuclei
Nuclei (noun)
- the small bright body in the head of a comet
- the small brighter and denser portion of a galaxy
- a central point, group, or mass about which gathering, concentration, or accretion takes place
- the most medial of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere —called also caudate
- the triploid nucleus that is formed in the embryo sac of a flowering plant during double fertilization by fusion of a sperm cell with two polar nuclei and that gives rise to the nutritive endosperm
- either of the nuclei in the embryo sac of a flowering plant that form the nutritive endosperm
- either of a pair of neuron clusters in the hypothalamus situated directly above the optic chiasma that receive photic input from the retina via the optic nerve and that regulate the body's circadian rhythms
Word Forms of Nuclei
Inflections: nucleuses, endosperm nuclei, polar nuclei
Origin & Etymology of Nuclei
New Latin, from Latin, kernel, from nuc-, nux nut nut
First known use: 1668
Frequently Asked Questions about Nuclei
What does "Nuclei" mean?
"Nuclei" means the small bright body in the head of a comet. As a noun, it is defined as: the small bright body in the head of a comet. It has 7 distinct senses.
Is "Nuclei" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Nuclei" is a noun.
How do you pronounce "Nuclei"?
"Nuclei" is pronounced /ˈnü-klē-əs/ as a noun and /ˌsü-prə-ˌkī-əz-ˈma-tik-/ as a noun and divided into syllables as nu·cle·us.
What is the origin of the word "Nuclei"?
"Nuclei" comes from New Latin, from Latin, kernel, from nuc-, nux nut nut. First known use: 1668.
What are the forms of "Nuclei"?
The word forms of "Nuclei" include nucleuses, endosperm nuclei and polar nuclei.