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nucleus

nucleus

8 6.3
A small group of people at the center of a larger team or activity
  • noun
  • /ˈnjuːkliəs/
translation icon : núcleo
  • As the project progressed, the initial team became the nucleus around which the larger organization was built.
  • form the nucleus
  • become the nucleus
  • a small nucleus

That is the nucleus of a democracy.

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Examples

  • The wealth of that Roman branch of this Florentine bank would become the nucleus of the wealth of the Medici.

  • The Sigler family in Matanzas province is another example of a nucleus of democratic resistance.

    Academic text (2006)
  • That is the nucleus of a democracy.

  • So we want this to be a nucleus for that type of sharing.

  • The significant main ideas and important musical characteristics should form the nucleus of music study.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The team retained a good amount of its nucleus with few changes from 2006 to 2010.

    Blog text (15)
  • They started with a nucleus of four or five people.

  • The ANC hopes that the anti-apartheid movement represents the nucleus of a support group for assistance.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Gratitude and the art of thankfulness really are the nucleus of day-to-day joy for me.

    Blog text (28)
  • In 1911, the first dairy cows and other livestock arrived to become the nucleus of USDA's animal husbandry research activities.

    Academic text (2001)

Synonyms

core
vsnucleus
468 3.2

The most important central part of something

is narrower meaning a small indispensable central group of people or things
core group
vsnucleus
10 3.5

A small group of people who are most important in a larger organization or activity

focuses more on being the indispensable foundation rather than just an essential group
noyau
vsnucleus
9.9

A small central group that forms the base of an organization or activity

is the same sense but in a different language or formal term

Compounds

nucleus accumbens
  • Specialized
1 8.4

Part of the brain that helps you feel pleasure and want things

cell nucleus
  • Specialized
1 3.2

The part of a cell surrounded by a membrane that holds DNA and controls growth and reproduction

caudate nucleus
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A part inside the brain shaped like a tail that helps control movement and learning

benzene nucleus
  • Specialized
8.1

A ring of six carbon atoms, each with one hydrogen

dentate nucleus
  • Specialized
9.9

A large folded group of brain cells in the back part of the brain that helps control movement and balance

amygdaloid nucleus
  • Specialized
9.9

A small part of the brain shaped like an almond that helps control feelings and motivation

lens nucleus
  • Specialized
7.0

Central part of the eye lens surrounded by the outer layer

lenticular nucleus
  • Specialized
9.9

A lens-shaped part of the brain made of gray matter that helps control movements you choose

lentiform nucleus
  • Specialized
9.9

A lens-shaped part deep in the brain that helps control movement

nucleus niger
  • Specialized
9.9

A dark part in the middle of the brain that helps control movement

subthalamic nucleus
  • Specialized
9.9

A small part deep inside the brain that helps control movement

How Central

nucleus
8 6.3
core
468 3.2
group
1.0
periphery
27 6.5

Surface Forms

nucleus singular
nuclei plural

Etymology

Nucleus comes from the Latin word nux, which means 'nut' or 'kernel'. So the nucleus of a group is the small, important 'kernel' of people or things that the larger organization grows from.