Definitions for: Kernel


[n] the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story"
[n] a single whole grain of a cereal; "a kernel of corn"
[n] the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone; "black walnut kernels are difficult to get out of the shell"



Webster (1913) Definition: Ker"nel, n. [OE. kernel, kirnel, curnel, AS. cyrnel,
fr. corn grain. See Corn, and cf. Kern to harden.]
1. The essential part of a seed; all that is within the seed
walls; the edible substance contained in the shell of a
nut; hence, anything included in a shell, husk, or
integument; as, the kernel of a nut. See Illust. of
Endocarp.

' A were as good crack a fusty nut with no kernel
--Shak.

2. A single seed or grain; as, a kernel of corn.

3. A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a
nucleus; a concretion or hard lump in the flesh.

4. The central, substantial or essential part of anything;
the gist; the core; as, the kernel of an argument.


Ker"nel, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Kerneledor Kernelled;
p. pr. & vb. n. Kerneling or Kernelling.]
To harden or ripen into kernels; to produce kernels.

Synonyms: center, core, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, meat, nitty-gritty, nub, pith, substance, sum

See Also: caryopsis, cognitive content, content, corn, grain, haecceity, hypostasis, mental object, plant part, quiddity, quintessence, seed, stuff

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