Nuclein

//ˈn(j)u.kli.ɪn// noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A phosphorus-rich protein found in the nucleus of a cell, later specifically nucleohistone or nucleoprotamine; also, any similar compound present in the cell nucleus. countable, uncountable

    "While delving microscopically through the pus in surgical bandages, Miescher found a substance he didn't recognize and called it nuclein (because it resided in the nuclei of cells)."

Example

More examples

"While delving microscopically through the pus in surgical bandages, Miescher found a substance he didn't recognize and called it nuclein (because it resided in the nuclei of cells)."

Etymology

From German Nuclein, corresponding to nucleus + -in.

Related phrases

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.