nucleate

nu·cle·ate

verb \ˈnü-klē-ˌāt, ˈnyü-\

nu·cle·at·ednu·cle·at·ing

Definition of NUCLEATE

transitive verb

1

: to form into a nucleus : cluster

2

: to act as a nucleus for

3

: to supply nuclei to

intransitive verb

1

: to form a nucleus

2

: to act as a nucleus

3

: to begin to form

— nu·cle·ation \ˌnü-klē-ˈā-shən, ˌnyü-\ noun

— nu·cle·a·tor \ˈnü-klē-ˌā-tər, ˈnyü-\ noun

Origin of NUCLEATE

Late Latin nucleatus, past participle of nucleare to become stony, from Latin nucleus

First Known Use: circa 1864