Thursday, October 2, 2008

Nucular or Nuclear Definition here.


Main Entry:
nu·cle·ar            Listen to the pronunciation of nuclear            Listen to the pronunciation of nuclear
Pronunciation:
\ˈnü-klē-ər, ˈnyü-, ÷-kyə-lər\
Function:
adjective
Date:
1846

1: of, relating to, or constituting a nucleus2 a: of or relating to the atomic nucleus <nuclear reaction> <nuclear physics> b: used in or produced by a nuclear reaction (as fission) <nuclear fuel> <nuclear waste> <nuclear energy> (1): being a weapon whose destructive power derives from an uncontrolled nuclear reaction (2): of, produced by, or involving nuclear weapons nuclear age> <nuclear war> (3): armed with nuclear weapons <nuclear powers> d: of, relating to, or powered by nuclear energy nuclear submarine> nucleardebate> nuclear plant>3: crazy , berserk —usually used in the phrase go nuclear
usage Though disapproved of by many, pronunciations ending in \\-kyə-lər\\ have been found in widespread use among educated speakers including scientists, lawyers, professors, congressmen, United States cabinet members, and at least two United States presidents and one vice president. While most common in the United States, these pronunciations have also been heard from British and Canadian speakers.

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1 Comment:

Anonymous said...

For the record, nucular is a word, although it has nothing to do with nuclear energy and it is a rarely used term. It is a botany term that means of or related to a nucle or nutlet of a fleshy fruit. The nucle (same as nutlet) is the stone (or hard portion) of a fleshy friut. But i cat't imagine a scenario in which the President would use this word.