-nucleus-

n.; pl. E. Nucleuses L. Nuclei [ L., a kernel, dim. fr. nux, nucis, nut. Cf. Newel post. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A kernel; hence, a central mass or point about which matter is gathered, or to which accretion is made; the central or material portion; -- used both literally and figuratively. [ 1913 Webster ]

It must contain within itself a nucleus of truth. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Astron.) The body or the head of a comet. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Bot.) (a) An incipient ovule of soft cellular tissue. (b) A whole seed, as contained within the seed coats. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Biol.) A body, usually spheroidal, in a eukaryotic cell, distinguished from the surrounding protoplasm by a difference in refrangibility and in behavior towards chemical reagents, which contains the chromosomal genetic material, including the chromosomal DNA. It is more or less protoplasmic, and consists of a clear fluid (achromatin) through which extends a network of fibers (chromatin) in which may be suspended a second rounded body, the nucleolus (see Nucleoplasm). See Cell division, under Division. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

☞ The nucleus is sometimes termed the endoplast or endoblast, and in the protozoa is supposed to be concerned in the female part of the reproductive process. See Karyokinesis. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Zool.) (a) The tip, or earliest part, of a univalve or bivalve shell. (b) The central part around which additional growths are added, as of an operculum. (c) A visceral mass, containing the stomach and other organs, in Tunicata and some mollusks. [ 1913 Webster ]