Kĕrn'el1, n.
n. [A-S. cyrnel, a little corn, grain, kernel, N. H. Ger. & D. kern, O. H. Ger. cherno, Icel. kjarni, Sw. kärna, Dan. kiärne. Cf. KERN, v. i.]
Sense 1. A little grain or corn; a single seed of a grain-bearing or other plant; hence, any thing included in a shell, husk, or integument; the edible substance contained in the shell of a nut; as, a kernel of corn; the kernel of a nut.
He were as good crack a fusty nut with no kernel. Shak.
Sense 2. A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a nucleus; a hard concretion in the flesh; the central part of any thing.