dinuclear
|di-nu-cle-ar|
🇺🇸
/ˌdaɪˈnuːklɚ/
🇬🇧
/ˌdaɪˈnjuːklə(r)/
two nuclei / two centers
Etymology
'dinuclear' is formed from the prefix 'di-' (originating from Greek 'di-' meaning 'two') combined with 'nuclear' (from Latin 'nucleus', meaning 'kernel' or 'core').
'di-' (Greek) + 'nuclear' (from Latin 'nucleus', itself a diminutive of 'nux' meaning 'nut') were combined in modern scientific English to coin 'dinuclear' to describe instances of 'two nuclei' or 'two centers'.
Initially rooted in the literal senses of 'two' + 'kernel/core', the term evolved in scientific usage to refer specifically to 'two atomic nuclei' or 'two metal centers' in chemistry and related fields.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having or consisting of two nuclei.
The molecule is dinuclear, containing two linked atomic nuclei in its core.
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Adjective 2
in chemistry, containing or featuring two metal centers (often bridged) within one molecular entity.
The dinuclear complex displays cooperative reactivity between its two metal centers.
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Last updated: 2025/11/24 11:21