kernel

Etymology

From Middle English kernel, kirnel, kürnel, from Old English cyrnel, from Proto-Germanic *kurnilaz, diminutive of *kurną (“seed, grain, corn”), equivalent to corn +‎ -le. Cognate with Yiddish קערנדל‎ (kerndl), Middle Dutch kernel, cornel, Middle High German kornel. Related also to Old Norse kjarni (“kernel”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkɜːnəl/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈkɝnəl/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)nəl
• Homophone: colonel

Noun

kernel (plural kernels)

1. The core, center, or essence of an object or system.

   the kernel of an argument

2. The central (usually edible) part of a nut, especially once the hard shell has been removed.
3. A single seed or grain, especially of corn or wheat.
4. (US) The stone of certain fruits, such as peaches or plums.
5. A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a nucleus; a concretion or hard lump in the flesh.
6. (computing) The central part of many computer operating systems which manages the system's resources and the communication between hardware and software components.

   The Linux kernel is open-source.

7. (computing) The core engine of any complex software system.
8. (calculus) A function used to define an integral transform.

   The Dirichlet kernel convolved with a function yields its Fourier series approximation.

9. (mathematics) A set of pairs of a mapping's domain which are mapped to the same value.
10. (mathematics, linear algebra, functional analysis) For a given function (especially a linear map between vector spaces), the set of elements in the domain which are mapped to zero; (formally) given f : X → Y, the set {x ∈ X : f(x) = 0}.

    If a function is continuous then its kernel is a closed set.

11. (mathematics, category theory) For a given morphism f and a morphism z from the initial object 0 to the codomain of f, the pullback of z along f.
12. (mathematics, fuzzy set theory) The set of members of a fuzzy set that are fully included (i.e., whose grade of membership is 1).
13. (slang) The human clitoris.
    • 2014, Karyn Gerrard, Irene Preston, Lotchie Burton et al, Summer Heat: 10 Spicy Romances That Sizzle

      Using the blunt end of one of the vibraphone mallets, he pried open her folds. With the balled end of the other, he rhythmically rolled over her kernel.

Anagrams

• kleren

Etymology

From English kernel ^[1]

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈkɛrnɛl]
• Hyphenation: ker‧nel

Noun

kernel (plural kernelek)

1. (computing) kernel (the central part of many computer operating systems)

References

Alternative forms

• crenel

Etymology

.

Noun

kernel m (oblique plural kerneaus or kerneax or kerniaus or kerniax or kernels, nominative singular kerneaus or kerneax or kerniaus or kerniax or kernels, nominative plural kernel)

1. crenel (space in a battlement from which weapons may be used on an incoming enemy)

References

• Godefroy, Frédéric, Dictionnaire de l'ancienne langue française et de tous ses dialectes du IX^e au XV^e siècle (1881) (crenel, supplement)

Noun

kernel m (plural kernels)

1. (computing) kernel (central part of certain operating systems)