I. ˈn(y)üklēˌāt verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Late Latin nucleatus, past participle of nucleare to become kernelly, hard, from Latin nucleus kernel, diminutive of nuc-, nux nut — more at nut
transitive verb
1. : to form into a nucleus : cluster
almost no community life or social solidarity, the nucleating factors being rooming houses, bars, pool rooms — J.H.Burma
business establishments are compactly nucleated — H.W.H.King
vague but tremendous expectations were gradually nucleated in certain symbolic demands — Yale Review
2. : to act as a nucleus for (as crystallization or precipitation)
light-diffusing crystals whose precipitation is nucleated by submicroscopic silver particles formed photographically within the glass — S.D.Stookey
an oasis nucleated by a hamlet — P.K.Hitti
also : to cause (as particles) to nucleate
intransitive verb
: to form a nucleus : cluster
new communities nucleating as the boundaries of older ones
II. -ēə̇t, -ēˌāt adjective
Etymology: Latin nucleatus, from nucleus kernel + -atus -ate
: having a nucleus or nuclei
nucleate cells
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary nucle ic (in nucleic acid ) + -ate
: a salt or ester of a nucleic acid