enucleate

verb enu·cle·ate \(ˌ)ē-ˈnü-klē-ˌāt, -ˈnyü-\

enu·cle·at·edenu·cle·at·ing

Definition of ENUCLEATE

transitive verb

archaic : explain

: to deprive of a nucleus

: to remove without cutting into <enucleate a tumor> <enucleate the eyeball>

— enu·cle·ation \(ˌ)ē-ˌn(y)ü-klē-ˈā-shən\ noun

Latin enucleatus, past participle of enucleare, literally, to remove the kernel from, from e- + nucleus kernel — more at nucleus

First Known Use: 1548

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