(n.) A perennial plant of the genus Faeniculum (F. vulgare), having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds.
(n.) The essential part of a seed; all that is within the seed walls; the edible substance contained in the shell of a nut; hence, anything included in a shell, husk, or integument; as, the kernel of a nut. See Illust. of Endocarp.
(n.) A single seed or grain; as, a kernel of corn.
(n.) A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a nucleus; a concretion or hard lump in the flesh.
(n.) The central, substantial or essential part of anything; the gist; the core; as, the kernel of an argument.
(v. i.) To harden or ripen into kernels; to produce kernels.
Augustinian monk and botanist whose experiments in breeding garden peas led to his eventual recognition as founder of the science of genetics (1822-1884)
(n.) Any one of numerous species of longwinged sea birds belonging to the family Procellaridae. The small petrels, or Mother Carey's chickens, belong to Oceanites, Oceanodroma, Procellaria, and several allied genera.
(n.) A plant of the genus Dipsacus, of which one species (D. fullonum) bears a large flower head covered with stiff, prickly, hooked bracts. This flower head, when dried, is used for raising a nap on woolen cloth.
(n.) A bur of this plant.
(n.) Any contrivance intended as a substitute for teasels in dressing cloth.
(v. t.) To subject, as woolen cloth, to the action of teasels, or any substitute for them which has an effect to raise a nap.