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Webster 1913 Edition

Nucleus

Nu′cle-us

,
Noun.
;
pl. E.
Nucleuses
(#)
, L.
Nuclei
(#)
.
[L., a kernel, dim. fr.
nux
,
nucis
, nut. Cf.
Newel
post.]
1.
A kernel; hence, a central mass or point about which matter is gathered, or to which accretion is made; the central or material portion; – used both literally and figuratively.
It must contain within itself a
nucleus
of truth.
I. Taylor.
2.
(Astron.)
The body or the head of a comet.
3.
(Bot.)
(a)
An incipient ovule of soft cellular tissue.
(b)
A whole seed, as contained within the seed coats.
☞ The nucleus is sometimes termed the endoplast or endoblast, and in the protozoa is supposed to be concerned in the female part of the reproductive process. See
Karyokinesis
.
5.
(Zool.)
(a)
The tip, or earliest part, of a univalve or bivalve shell.
(b)
The central part around which additional growths are added, as of an operculum.
(c)
A visceral mass, containing the stomach and other organs, in Tunicata and some mollusks.

Webster 1828 Edition

Nucleus

NU'CLEUS

,
Noun.
[L. a nut.]
1.
Properly, the kernel of a nut; but in usage, any body about which matter is collected.
2.
The body of a comet, called also its head, which appears to be surrounded with light.

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