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nuclear

Pronunciation: /ˈn(j)u.kli.ɚ/

The English word “nuclear” has 10 meanings listed here.

adjective

  1. Pertaining to the nucleus of an atom.
  2. Involving energy released by nuclear reactions (fission, fusion, radioactive decay).
  3. Relating to a weapon that derives its force from rapid release of energy through nuclear reactions.
  4. Having nuclear weapons.
  5. Involving an extreme course of action, or one with severe consequences.
  6. Pertaining to the nucleus of a cell.
  7. Pertaining to a centre around which something is developed or organised; central, pivotal.
  8. Relating to, being of, or comprising the nuclear family.

noun

  1. Nuclear power.
  2. Nuclear weapon

Etymology

From Latin nū̆cleus, a contraction of the adjective nuculeus, masculine of feminine nuculea (“pertaining to a small nut”) from nucula + adjectival suffix -eus, -ea, -eum. The Latin nucula + -āris adds up to nuculāris, a term that in English becomes nucular; the Latin nuculea + -āris, becomes Latin nuculeāris (“relative to what pertains to small nut”), later contracted into nuclear. By surface…

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.