From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Kernel \Ker"nel\, n. [OE. kernel, kirnel, curnel, AS. cyrnel,
fr. corn grain. See {Corn}, and cf. {Kern} to harden.]
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. See Illust. of
{Endocarp}.
[1913 Webster]
'A were as good crack a fusty nut with no kernel
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. A single seed or grain; as, a kernel of corn.
[1913 Webster]
3. A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a
nucleus; a concretion or hard lump in the flesh.
[1913 Webster]
4. The central, substantial or essential part of anything;
the gist; the core; as, the kernel of an argument.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Kernel \Ker"nel\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Kerneled}or {Kernelled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Kerneling} or {Kernelling}.]
To harden or ripen into kernels; to produce kernels. Kerneled
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
kernel
n 1: 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" [syn: {kernel}, {meat}]
2: a single whole grain of a cereal; "a kernel of corn"
3: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some
idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument";
"the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the
story" [syn: {kernel}, {substance}, {core}, {center},
{centre}, {essence}, {gist}, {heart}, {heart and soul},
{inwardness}, {marrow}, {meat}, {nub}, {pith}, {sum}, {nitty-
gritty}]
From German-English FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.3.3 [fd-deu-eng]:
kernel /krnəl/
kernel
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