kernel

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkəːn(ə)l/

noun

  • 1a softer, usually edible part of a nut, seed, or fruit stone contained within its shell: the kernel of a walnut pine kernels
  • the seed and hard husk of a cereal, especially wheat: the milky kernel of the wheat grain
  • 2the central or most important part of something: this is the kernel of the argument
  • Computing the most basic level or core of an operating system, responsible for resource allocation, file management, and security.
  • [as modifier] Linguistics denoting a basic unmarked linguistic string.

Origin:

Old English cyrnel, diminutive of corn1

Spelling help

Remember that the ending of kernel is spelled -el.