kernel

Definition

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

Etymology

From Middle English kernel, kirnel, kürnel, from Old English cyrnel, from Proto-West Germanic *kurnil, diminutive of Proto-Germanic *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”).

Example Sentences

• "the kernel of an argument"
• "The Linux kernel is open-source."
• "The Dirichlet kernel convolved with a function yields its Fourier series approximation."