n(y)üˈklē]ik-, -lā], ]ēk-\ noun
Etymology: nucleic International Scientific Vocabulary nucle- + -ic; originally formed in German
: any of two groups of complex acids that are found in all living cells especially in combination as nucleoproteins, that are polynucleotides yielding on partial hydrolysis less highly polymerized nucleotides, nucleosides, and finally purine bases, pyrimidine bases, a pentose sugar, and phosphoric acid — see deoxyribonucleic acid , ribonucleic acid