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nuclear - 6 dictionary results
nu⋅cle⋅ar
[noo-klee-er, nyoo- or, by metathesis, -kyuh-ler] 
kli
–adjective
| 1. | pertaining to or involving atomic weapons: nuclear war. |
| 2. | operated or powered by atomic energy: a nuclear submarine. |
| 3. | (of a nation or group of nations) having atomic weapons. |
| 4. | of, pertaining to, or forming a nucleus. |
| 5. | of, pertaining to, or like the nuclear family: nuclear bonds. |
–noun Informal.
| 6. | nuclear energy: switching to nuclear as a power source. |
Pronunciation note:
In pronouncing nuclear, the second and third syllables are most commonly said as [-klee-er] , a sequence of sounds that directly reflects the spelled sequence ‑cle⋅ar. In recent years, a somewhat controversial pronunciation has come to public attention, with these two final syllables said as [-kyuh-ler]. Since [-klee-er], the common pronunciation of ‑cle⋅ar, might also be represented, broadly, as [-kluh-yer], the [-kyuh-ler] pronunciation can be seen as coming from a process of metathesis, in which the [l] and the [y] change places. The resulting pronunciation is reinforced by analogy with such words as molecular, particular, and muscular, and although it occurs with some frequency among highly educated speakers, including scientists, professors, and government officials, it is disapproved of by many.
In pronouncing nuclear, the second and third syllables are most commonly said as
[-klee-er] , a sequence of sounds that directly reflects the spelled sequence ‑cle⋅ar. In recent years, a somewhat controversial pronunciation has come to public attention, with these two final syllables said as [-kyuh-ler]. Since [-klee-er], the common pronunciation of ‑cle⋅ar, might also be represented, broadly, as [-kluh-yer], the [-kyuh-ler] pronunciation can be seen as coming from a process of metathesis, in which the [l] and the [y] change places. The resulting pronunciation is reinforced by analogy with such words as molecular, particular, and muscular, and although it occurs with some frequency among highly educated speakers, including scientists, professors, and government officials, it is disapproved of by many.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To nuclear
| nu·cle·ar (nōō'klē-ər, nyōō'-) adj.
[From nucleus.] Usage Note: The pronunciation (nōō'kyə-lər), which is generally considered incorrect, is an example of how a familiar phonological pattern can influence an unfamiliar one. The usual pronunciation of the final two syllables of this word is (-klē-ər), but this sequence of sounds is rare in English. Much more common is the similar sequence (-kyə-lər), which occurs in words like particular, circular, spectacular, and in many scientific words like molecular, ocular, and vascular. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
nuclear
1846, "of or like the nucleus of a cell," from nucleus (q.v.), probably by influence of Fr. nucléaire. Use in atomic physics is from 1914; of weapons, from 1945. Hence nuclear physics (1933), nuclear energy (1941), nuclear war (1954). Nuclear winter coined by Richard Turco, but first attested in article by Carl Sagan in "Parade" magazine, Oct. 30, 1983. General sense of "central" is from 1912. Nuclear family, originally a sociologists' term, is first attested 1949 in "Social Structure," by American anthropologist G.P. Murdock (1897–1985).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Language Translation for : nuclear
Spanish:
nuclear,
German:
Atom-…,
Japanese:
原子力の
Main Entry: nu·cle·ar
Pronunciation: 'n(y)ü-klE-&r
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or constituting a nucleus
2 : of, relating to, or utilizing the atomic nucleus, atomic energy, the atomic bomb, or atomic power
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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nuclear nu·cle·ar (n&oomacr;'klē-ər, ny&oomacr;'-)
adj.
- Of or forming a nucleus.
- Of or relating to atomic nuclei.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
nuclear (n 'klē-ər) Pronunciation Key
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
