First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
kernel
noun ker·nel \ˈkər-nəl\
: the small, somewhat soft part inside a seed or nut
: a whole seed; especially : one of the yellow seeds that cover an ear of corn
: a very small amount of something
Full Definition of KERNEL
1
chiefly dialect : a fruit seed
2
: the inner softer part of a seed, fruit stone, or nut
3
: a whole seed of a cereal <a kernel of corn>
4
: a central or essential part : germ <like many stereotypes … this one too contains some kernels of truth — S. M. Lyman>
5
: a subset of the elements of one set (as a group) that a function (as a homomorphism) maps onto an identity element of another set
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Origin of KERNEL
Middle English, from Old English cyrnel, diminutive of corn
Related to KERNEL
- Synonyms
- bottom line, bull's-eye, centerpiece, core, essence, gist, heart, crux, keynote, meat, meat and potatoes, net, nub, nubbin, nucleus, pith, pivot, point, root, sum
Other Botany Terms
KERNEL Defined for Kids
kernel
noun ker·nel \ˈkər-nəl\
Definition of KERNEL for Kids
1
: the inner softer part of a seed, fruit stone, or nut
2
: the whole grain or seed of a cereal plant <a kernel of corn>
3
: a very small amount <a kernel of truth>
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