nuclear

Meanings

Adjective

• Pertaining to the nucleus of an atom.
• Involving energy released by nuclear reactions (fission, fusion, radioactive decay).
• Relating to a weapon that derives its force from rapid release of energy through nuclear reactions.
• Involving an extreme course of action.
• Pertaining to the nucleus of a cell.
• Pertaining to a centre around which something is developed or organised; central, pivotal.

Noun

• nuclear power

Origin

• From Latin nū̆cleus, a contraction of the adjective nuculeus, masculine of feminine nuculea from nucula + adjectival suffix -eus, -ea, -eum. The Latin nucula + -āris adds up to nuculāris, a term that in English becomes nucular; the Latin nuculea + -āris, becomes Latin nuculeāris, later contracted into nuclear. Compare muscle and Latin mūsculus; muscular and mūsculāris.