kernel

UK /ˈkɜː.nəl/ US /ˈkɝ.nəl/

noun 5verb 2

Definitions

noun

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

the kernel of an argument

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

A single seed of grain, especially of corn or wheat.

The stone of certain fruits, such as peaches or plums.

A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a nucleus; a concretion or hard lump in the flesh.

verb

To enclose within a kernel

To crenellate

Collocations

ADJ.

behind, damaging, free, great, monolithic, white

There was a great kernel of truth hidden beneath all their excuses.

VERB + KERNEL

eat, find, got, produce

I ate the kernel from the peach pit by accident.

KERNEL + NOUN

argument, convolved, day, group, open-source, truth

The kernel of truth in his argument finally made everyone reconsider their position.

PREP.

in, with, without

The truth of his argument lay in the kernel of his opening statement.

ADV.

only

The only kernel of truth in his explanation was that he had been late.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some id

noun — the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut

meat

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

kernel of truth

A core accuracy at the heart of a claim or narrative which also contains dubious or fictitious elements.

There may be a kernel of truth in the story of how George Washington confessed to his father that he chopped down the cherry tree.

Example Bank

the kernel of an argument

Wiktionary

The Linux kernel is open-source.

Wiktionary

The Dirichlet kernel convolved with a function yields its Fourier series approximation.

Wiktionary

I got a great kernel panic a day or two ago.

Tatoeba · #448756

The Linux kernel is monolithic.

Tatoeba · #483282

The kernel of a group homomorphism always contains the neutral element.

Tatoeba · #697951

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, kernel is marked as US. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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