kernel
kernel — noun
1. the soft edible centre found inside a nut's hard shell or inside a seed's outer
the soft edible centre found inside a nut's hard shell or inside a seed's outer coat
Yara cracked open the pistachio shell and ate the small green kernel inside.
kernel inside a nutshell
The recipe calls for pine kernels, which add a rich, buttery flavour to the sauce.
pine kernels as ingredient
After removing the hard outer shell, Priya found the almond kernel was still fresh.
Each apricot stone contains a kernel that some people use to make a sweet syrup.
文法句型
kernel + of + noun phrase
常見錯誤
2. a complete seed from a grain plant such as corn, wheat, or rice, usually with it
a complete seed from a grain plant such as corn, wheat, or rice, usually with its outer layer still attached
The farmer held a single kernel of wheat between his thumb and finger.
single kernel of wheat
Popcorn is made by heating each maize kernel until it bursts into a white puff.
maize kernel for popcorn
Noa examined the rice kernel under a magnifying glass for science class.
Birds pecked at the corn kernels scattered across the ground near the old barn.
文法句型
single kernel + of + cereal type
用法筆記
This sense is most common in agricultural and food-production contexts when referring to raw, unprocessed grains.
3. the central or most essential part of an argument, idea, or system, without whic
the central or most essential part of an argument, idea, or system, without which the rest would have little meaning or value
The kernel of her argument was that education alone cannot solve poverty.
kernel of + abstract argument
After hours of debate, Rohan finally identified the kernel of the problem.
The proposal contains a kernel of truth, but the evidence does not support it fully.
The kernel of the novel is a simple story of a family rebuilding after war.
Leila's speech was long, but the kernel of her message was about community action.
- core
very similar in meaning but more common in everyday English; 'core' often implies a physical center, while 'kernel' is more abstract
- essence
emphasises the fundamental nature or quality of something; slightly more philosophical than 'kernel'
- heart
more emotional and less academic; good for personal or narrative contexts
- nub
informal synonym for the central point of an argument; less precise than 'kernel'
- surface
the superficial or outer aspect of an idea, as opposed to its essential core
- triviality
an unimportant detail, the opposite of an essential kernel
文法句型
the kernel + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used in the fixed phrase 'kernel of truth', which means a small piece of truth inside a larger claim that may be exaggerated or false.