'nucleus-bearing' originates from Modern English, specifically the words 'nucleus' and 'bearing', where 'nucleus' meant 'kernel, core' and 'bear' meant 'to carry'.

'nucleus' comes from Latin 'nucleus' (kernel, core) and entered English via New Latin; 'bear' comes from Old English 'beran' meaning 'to carry'. The compound 'nucleus-bearing' was formed in Modern English by combining these elements.

Initially, the components meant 'kernel' and 'to carry', but together they evolved into the adjectival sense 'having a nucleus' used in biological and technical contexts.