enucleate

verb

enucleated; enucleating

transitive verb

1
archaic : explain
2
: to deprive of a nucleus
3
: to remove without cutting into
enucleate a tumor
enucleate the eyeball

Word History

Etymology

Latin enucleatus, past participle of enucleare, literally, to remove the kernel from, from e- + nucleus kernel — more at nucleus

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enucleate was in 1548

Dictionary Entries Near enucleate

Cite this Entry

“Enucleate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enucleate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

enucleate

1 of 2 transitive verb
enu·​cle·​ate (ˈ)ē-ˈn(y)ü-klē-ˌāt How to pronounce enucleate (audio)
enucleated; enucleating
1
: to deprive of a nucleus
2
: to remove without cutting into
enucleate a tumor
enucleate the eyeball

enucleate

2 of 2 adjective
enu·​cle·​ate -klē-ət, -ˌāt How to pronounce enucleate (audio)
: lacking a nucleus
enucleate cells
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