nucleate

[ adjective noo-klee-it, -eyt, nyoo-; verb noo-klee-eyt, nyoo- ]

/ adjective ˈnu kli ɪt, -ˌeɪt, ˈnyu-; verb ˈnu kliˌeɪt, ˈnyu- /

adjective

having a nucleus.

verb (used with object), nu·cle·at·ed, nu·cle·at·ing.

to form (something) into a nucleus.

verb (used without object), nu·cle·at·ed, nu·cle·at·ing.

to form a nucleus.

Nearby words

nuclear winter, nuclear-free zone, nuclearism, nuclearize, nuclease, nucleate, nucleated, nucleating agent, nucleation, nuclei, nuclei nervi vestibulocochlearis

Origin of nucleate

First recorded in 1860–65, nucleate is from the Latin word nucleātus having a kernel or stone. See nucleus, -ate¹

Related forms

nu·cle·a·tion

[noo-klee-ey-shuh n, nyoo-] /ˌnu kliˈeɪ ʃən, ˌnyu-/, nounnu·cle·a·tor, nounmul·ti·nu·cle·ate, adjectiveun·nu·cle·at·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for nucleate

This is when other ideas begin to nucleate around the core idea.
How I Write: Paul Lynch|Noah Charney|December 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I heard a doctor say to let 'im rest to-night an' 'nucleate in the mornin'.
The Hole in the Wall|Arthur Morrison

British Dictionary definitions for nucleate

nucleate

adjective (ˈnjuːklɪɪt, -ˌeɪt)

having a nucleus

verb (ˈnjuːklɪˌeɪt) (intr)

to form a nucleus

Derived Forms

nucleation, nounnucleator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for nucleate

nucleate

[ nōō′klē-āt′, -ĭt ]

adj.

Nucleated.

v.

To form into a nucleus.

To serve or act as a nucleus for.

To provide a nucleus for.

n.

A salt of a nucleic acid.