Lexic.us

Definition of Kernel

1. Noun. 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"

2. Noun. A single whole grain of a cereal. "A kernel of corn"

3. Noun. The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience. "The nub of the story"

Definition of Kernel

1. n. 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.

2. v. i. To harden or ripen into kernels; to produce kernels.

Definition of Kernel

1. Noun. The core, center, or essence of an object or system. ¹

2. Noun. The central (usually edible) part of a nut, especially once the hard shell has been removed. ¹

3. Noun. A single seed or grain, especially of corn or wheat. ¹

4. Noun. (computing) The central part of many computer operating systems which manages the system's resources and the communication between hardware and software components. ¹

5. Noun. (American English) The stone of certain fruits, such as peaches or plums. ¹

6. Noun. (algebra) Those elements, in the domain of a function, which the function maps to zero. ¹

7. Noun. (context: fuzzy set theory) The set of members of a fuzzy set which are fully included (i.e., whose grade of membership is 1). ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Kernel

1. to envelop as a kernel (the inner part of a nut) [v -NELED, -NELING, -NELS or -NELLED, -NELLING, -NELS]

Medical Definition of Kernel

1. 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. 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. Origin: OE. Kernel, kirnel, curnel, AS.cyrnel, fr. Corn grain. See Corn, and cf. Kern to harden. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Kernel

kermes oak kermesite kermess kermesse kermesses kermis kermises kermode kermode bears kermodes

kern kern-plasma relation theory kernal kerne kerned kernel (current term) kernel blight kernel corn kernel hacker kernel of truth

kernel panic kernel space kernel spot kerneled kerneling kernelisation kernelizable kernelization kernelizations kernelized

Literary usage of Kernel

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Biennial Report by California Dept. of Agriculture, California State Commission of Horticulture (1894)
"kernel flat and somewhat wrinkled. The shell rather imperfect and ragged. ... Rather large and long, having almost invariably a single kernel. ..."

2. The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture: A Discussion for the Amateur, and by Liberty Hyde Bailey (1915)
"A smooth nut of medium size, slightly compressed; kernel plump, light in color and of good quality; shell thin; cracking quality good. Eliot.— Connecticut. ..."

3. Pedagogical Articles: Linen-measurer by Leo Tolstoy, Leo Wiener (1904)
"The wise men went to the king and told the king that it was a rye kernel. ... He commanded the wise men to find out where and when this kernel had grown. ..."

4. The Cereals in America by Thomas Forsyth Hunt (1908)
"The oat kernel, except in hull-less varieties, remains enclosed in the flowering ... (64) In this book the caryopsis of the oat will be called the kernel, ..."

5. Annual Report by Illinois Farmers' Institute (1902)
"If the kernels are swelled about the shank in regular manner, leaving concave depression, give full marking. UNIFORMITY OP kernelS. The shape of the kernel ..."

6. Lubrication and Lubricants: A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of by Leonard Archbutt, Richard Mountford Deeley (1907)
"In France it is usual to filter the oil through cotton or paper.1 Olive-kernel Oil was formerly believed to be quite different in properties from ordinary ..."

7. Chemical Technology and Analysis of Oils, Fats, and Waxes by Julius Lewkowitsch (1904)
"The chief adulterants of almond oil are apricot kernel oil and ]i«ich kernel oil. The last two oils are used to such an extent, that they frequently ..."

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