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enucleation

American  
[ih-noo-klee-ay-shuhn, -nyoo-] / ɪˌnu kliˈeɪ ʃən, -ˌnju- /

noun

  1. Biology. removal or elimination of the nucleus of a cell.

    Immature oocytes were obtained from hormone-stimulated goats and matured for 22 hours before enucleation.

  2. Surgery. removal of an enclosed mass or body, such as a cyst, eyeball, or tumor, while leaving it whole.

    Enucleation of the cyst, along with removal of the tooth, is the treatment of choice.

    In some cases the surgeon may have to remove the eye, a procedure called enucleation.


Etymology

Origin of enucleation

First recorded in 1610–20, for an earlier sense; equivalent to enucleat(e) ( def. ) + -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Some of the older survivors had facial abnormalities from radiation or enucleation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2025

Ritchie: On the day we made Dolly, I would have done the enucleation, and she would have done the fusion.

From Nature ● Jun. 28, 2016

Dr. Shields didn't feel enucleation was not the route to go.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 3, 2011

In the case of central tumours the shell of bone is removed over an area sufficient to allow of the enucleation of the tumour, or the affected portion of bone is resected.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Alexis Thomson

Lovort describes an enucleation of the eye in the second month of pregnancy.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Walter L. (Walter Lytle) Pyle

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