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nuclear

   Also found in: Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.03 sec.
nu·cle·ar  (nkl-r, ny-)
adj.
1. Biology Of, relating to, or forming a nucleus: a nuclear membrane.
2. Physics Of or relating to atomic nuclei: a nuclear chain reaction.
3. Using or derived from the energy of atomic nuclei: nuclear power.
4. Of, using, or possessing atomic or hydrogen bombs: nuclear war; nuclear nations.

[From nucleus.]
Usage Note: The pronunciation (nky-lr), which is generally considered incorrect, is an example of how a familiar phonological pattern can influence an unfamiliar one. The usual pronunciation of the final two syllables of this word is (-kl-r), but this sequence of sounds is rare in English. Much more common is the similar sequence (-ky-lr), which occurs in words like particular, circular, spectacular, and in many scientific words like molecular, ocular, and vascular.

nuclear
Adjective
1. of nuclear weapons or energy
2. of an atomic nucleus: nuclear fission

nuclear  (nkl-r)
1. Relating to or forming a cell nucleus.
2. Relating to atomic nuclei.
3. Using energy derived from the nuclei of atoms through fission or fusion reactions.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.nuclear - (weapons) deriving destructive energy from the release of atomic energy; "nuclear war"; "nuclear weapons"; "atomic bombs"
conventional - (weapons) using energy for propulsion or destruction that is not nuclear energy; "conventional warfare"; "conventional weapons"
2.nuclear - of or relating to or constituting the nucleus of an atom; "nuclear physics"; "nuclear fission"; "nuclear forces"
natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics"
3.nuclear - of or relating to or constituting the nucleus of a cell; "nuclear membrane"; "nuclear division"
biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms
4.nuclear - constituting or like a nucleus; "annexation of the suburban fringe by the nuclear metropolis"; "the nuclear core of the congregation"
central - in or near a center or constituting a center; the inner area; "a central position"
Translations
nuclear [ˈnjuːklɪəʳ] adjnuclear
nuclear [ˈnjuːklɪəʳ] adjnucléaire
nuclear [ˈnjuːklɪəʳ] adj (bomb, industry etc) → Atom-;
nuclear physics → Kernphysik f;
nuclear war → Atomkrieg m
nuclear [ˈnjuːklɪəʳ] adjnucleare; [warfare] → atomico/a


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