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   nu·cle·us

   /ˈno͞oklēəs/

   noun

   • 1. the central and most important part of an object, movement, or group, forming the basis for its activity and growth: "the nucleus of a film-producing industry" Similar corecentercentral partmost important partheartnubhubmiddlemidpointeyekernelfocusfocal pointpivotcruxliterary:navelrare:omphalos
   • 2. the positively charged central core of an atom, consisting of protons and neutrons and containing nearly all its mass.
   • ▪ a dense organelle present in most eukaryotic cells, typically a single rounded structure bounded by a double membrane, containing the genetic material.
   • ▪ a discrete mass of gray matter in the central nervous system.
   • ▪ the solid part of the head of a comet.

   Word Origin mid 17th century (denoting the solid part of a comet's head): from Latin, literally ‘kernel, inner part’, diminutive of nux, nuc- ‘nut’.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • N

     1

   • U

     1

   • C

     3

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

   • U

     1

   • S

     1

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