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Kerman
kermes
kermes oak
kermis
Kermode bear
kern (1)
kern (2)
kerne
kernel
kernel spots
kerning
kernite
kernmantel rope
kero
kerogen
kerosene
kerplunk
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kernel

ker·nel [ kúrn'l ] (plural ker·nels)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. edible core: the edible content of a nut or fruit stone

2. cereal grain: the grain of a cereal that contains a seed and husk

3. central part: the central or most important part of something
a kernel of self-belief that never wavered

4. physics atom stripped of its electrons: a positively charged atomic nucleus that has lost its valence electrons

5. comput key portion of operating system: the core of a computer's operating system that resides in the memory and performs essential functions such as controlling memory and files and allocating system resources

[ Old English cyrnel "little seed" <corn1]

Spelling Note

See colonel.

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