ˈnju:klɪə adj. 1
of, relating
to, or constituting a
nucleus. 2 using nuclear
energy (nuclear reactor). 3 having nuclear weapons. ønuclear
bomb a bomb involving
the release of energy by nuclear
fission or
fusion or
both. nuclear
disarmament the
gradual or
total reduction by a
State of
its nuclear weapons. nuclear energy energy obtained by nuclear fission or fusion. nuclear
family a
couple and their children, regarded as a
basic social unit. nuclear fission a nuclear
reaction in
which a
heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on
impact with another particle, with the release of energy. nuclear force a
strong attractive force
between nucleons in the
atomic nucleus
that holds the nucleus
together.
nuclear-free free from nuclear weapons,
power, etc. nuclear
fuel a
substance that will
sustain a fission
chain reaction so that it can be used as a
source of nuclear energy. nuclear fusion a nuclear reaction in which atomic
nuclei of low atomic
number fuse to
form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy. nuclear
magnetic resonance the
absorption of
electromagnetic radiation by a nucleus having a magnetic
moment when in an
external magnetic
field, used
mainly as an
analytical technique and in
body imaging
for diagnosis. °Abbr.:
NMR, nmr. nuclear
physics the physics of atomic nuclei and their interactions,
esp. in the
generation of nuclear energy. nuclear power 1
electric or
motive power generated by a nuclear
reactor. 2 a
country that
has nuclear weapons. nuclear reactor a
device in which a nuclear fission chain reaction is sustained and controlled in
order to
produce energy. nuclear
umbrella supposed
protection afforded by an
alliance with a country possessing nuclear weapons. nuclear
warfare warfare in which nuclear weapons are used. nuclear
waste any radioactive waste
material from the reprocessing of
spent nuclear fuel. nuclear
winter obstruction of
sunlight as a
potential result of nuclear warfare, causing
extreme cold. [NUCLEUS + -AR(1)]
