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pronucleus

[ proh-noo-klee-uh s, -nyoo- ]
/ proʊˈnu kli əs, -ˈnyu- /

noun, plural pro·nu·cle·i [proh-noo-klee-ahy, -nyoo-] /proʊˈnu kliˌaɪ, -ˈnyu-/. Cell Biology.

either of the gametic nuclei that unite in fertilization to form the nucleus of the zygote.

Nearby words

  1. pronounce,
  2. pronounced,
  3. pronouncement,
  4. pronto,
  5. pronuclear,
  6. pronuke,
  7. pronunciamento,
  8. pronunciation,
  9. pronunciation spelling,
  10. pronunciatory

Origin of pronucleus

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at pro-1, nucleus
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for pronucleus

pronucleus

/ (ˌprəʊˈnjuːklɪəs) /

noun plural -clei (-klɪˌaɪ)

the nucleus of a mature ovum or spermatozoan before fertilization
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 pronucleus

pronucleus

[ prō-nōō′klē-əs ]

n.

One of two nuclei undergoing fusion in karyogamy.
The haploid nucleus of a sperm or egg before fusion of the nuclei in fertilization.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.