{ } a. [ Pref. bi- + nuclear, nucleate. ] (Biol.) Having two nuclei; as, binucleate cells. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to, or located on the inside of a nucleus; taking place within a nucleus; referring especially to the nucleus of a cell; as, the intranuclear network of fibrils, seen in the first stages of karyokinesis. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Multi- + nuclear. ] (Biol.) Containing many nuclei; as, multinuclear cells. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. 1. Of or pertaining to a nucleus; as, the nuclear spindle (see Illust. of Karyokinesis) or the nuclear fibrils of a cell; the nuclear part of a comet, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. of, pertaining to, or using nuclear weapons; a nuclear exchange, i.e. a reciprocal bombardment by nuclear weapons.. [ PJC ]

2. Of, pertaining to, or powered by atomic energy; same as nuclear-powered; as, a nuclear submarine; a nuclear power plant. [ PJC ]

3. Of or pertaining to nations possessing nuclear weapons; as, the nuclear club. [ PJC ]

n. an explosive device, whether used as a weapon or for other purposes, which depends for most of its explosive power on the release of energy from within atomic nuclei. A fission device or a fusion device. [ PJC ]

n. Energy derived from nuclear reactions; -- used at present especially of electrical power generated in atomic reactors, but encompassing also fusion energy.
Syn. -- atomic energy, atomic power, nuclear energy, nuclear power. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The branch of engineering concerned with the design and construction and operation of nuclear reactors. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The explosion of an atomic bomb or atomic device; -- sometimes also used of fusion-powered explosions.
Syn. -- atomic explosion. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A family consisting of parents and their children and grandparents of a marital partner. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A nuclear reaction in which a heavy atomic nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy.
Syn. -- fission. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A type of nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei combine to form more massive nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy. Syn. -- fusion, nuclear fusion reaction. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A nuclear reaction in which nuclei combine to form more massive nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy. Syn. -- fusion, nuclear fusion. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. (Physics) The specific absorption and re-emission of electromagnetic radiation at characteristic wavelengths by atomic nuclei in a magnetic field. It is abbreviated NMR. The wavelength of the radiation absorbed depends on the type of nucleus, the intensity of the magnetic field, and the local chemical environment in which the nucleus resides. It is the latter effect (called the chemical shift), by which atoms of specific elements in different chemical compounds show a different resonance frequency, which gives rise to the greatest utility of this phenomenon in analyzing the chemical structure of substances. Similar effects of the chemical environment permit the discrimination of different types of living tissue by virtue of their different chemical composition, thus permitting utilization of the phenomenon in medical diagnostic instruments, especially for magnetic resonance imaging. [ PJC ]

n. A scientist specializing in nuclear physics. [ PJC ]

n. That branch of physics which studies the structure of and phenomena observed in atomic nuclei. [ PJC ]

n. 1. Power derived from nuclear reactions; -- used at present especially of electrical power generated in atomic reactors, but encompassing also fusion power.
Syn. -- atomic energy, atomic power, nuclear energy, nuclear energy. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. A country possessing nuclear weapons. [ PJC ]

n. A ship for which the motive power comes from the energy generated by a nuclear reactor. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A submarine for which the motive power comes from the energy generated by a nuclear reactor. Same as nuclear submarine. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A process that alters the energy or structure or composition of an atomic nucleus. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. (phys.) Any of several devices that maintain and control a sustained nuclear fission chain reaction, for the production of energy, heat, or artificial elements, or for research purposes. The main fuel sustaining the reaction and consumed by the process is typically uranium or plutonium. Syn. -- reactor, atomic pile, fission reactor, nuclear pile [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. (Physics) The resonance absorption of a gamma ray by a nucleus identical to the nucleus that emitted the gamma ray. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A war in which nuclear weapons are used by both sides. As generally used, the term assumes major use of nuclear weapons by at least two opposing warring states. As of 1999, no nuclear war has occurred. [ PJC ]

n. The warhead of a missile containing an atom bomb or hydrogen bomb.
Syn. -- atomic warhead, thermonuclear warhead, nuke. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A weapon of great explosive power, such as an atomic bomb or a hydrogen bomb, which depends for most of its explosive power on the release of energy from within atomic nuclei by a nuclear reaction. A fission weapon or a fusion weapon. The term includes atomic shells for cannon. [ PJC ]

n. a hypothetical lowering of global temperature postulated as the aftermath of a full nuclear war. The mechanism of such an effect depends primarily on the injection into the atmosphere of small solid particles, as soot from burning forests, which reflect sunlight and cause a reduction in solar energy retained by the earth. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to a nucleus; situated around a nucleus; as, the perinuclear protoplasm. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Poly- + nuclear. ] (Biol.) Containing many nuclei. [ 1913 Webster ]