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kernel
kernel The lowest layer into which a large operating system is subdivided, each layer dealing with some aspect of the system hardware. The kernel is responsible for allocating hardware resources to the processes that make up the operating system and to the programs running under the operating system. Formal verification of the kernel is usually necessary for systems professing high integrity or security. See security kernel.
Nucleus is a near-synonym for kernel and tends to be used where the effects are achieved by a mixture of normal programming and microcoding. The microprogram is written in such a way as to complement the functions achieved by the normal code, with a gain in running speed. |
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Cite this article
JOHN DAINTITH. "kernel." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN DAINTITH. "kernel." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-kernel.html JOHN DAINTITH. "kernel." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-kernel.html |
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kernel
ker·nel / ˈkərnl/ • n. a softer, usually edible part of a nut, seed, or fruit stone contained within its hard shell. ∎ the seed and hard husk of a cereal, esp. wheat. ∎ [in sing.] the central or most important part of something: this is the kernel of the argument. ∎ the most basic level or core of an operating system of a computer, responsible for resource allocation, file management, and security. |
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Cite this article
"kernel." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "kernel." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-kernel.html "kernel." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-kernel.html |
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kernel
kernel †seed, pip; inner edible part of a nut; (dial.) enlarged gland OE.; nucleus, core XVI. OE. cyrnel, dim. of corn seed, CORN1; see -EL1. Present sp. appears XIV as a var. of north. and midl. kirnel.
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T. F. HOAD. "kernel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "kernel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-kernel.html T. F. HOAD. "kernel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-kernel.html |
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kernel
kernel •annal, channel, flannel, impanel, multichannel, panel
•cracknel
•grapnel, shrapnel
•carnal
•antennal, crenel, fennel, kennel
•regnal
•anal, decanal
•adrenal, officinal, penal, renal, venal
•signal, spignel
•hymnal • cardinal • libidinal • ordinal
•attitudinal, latitudinal, longitudinal
•altitudinal
•imaginal, paginal
•marginal, submarginal
•aboriginal • virginal • disciplinal
•seminal
•criminal, liminal, subliminal
•abdominal, nominal, phenomenal, pronominal
•noumenal
•germinal, terminal
•vaticinal, vicinal
•sentinel • intestinal • Juvenal
•doctrinal, final, semi-final, spinal, urinal, vaginal
•quarterfinal
•cantonal, O'Connell
•cornel • nounal
•atonal, Donal, hormonal, Monel, patronal, polytonal, tonal, zonal
•motional
•lagoonal, monsoonal, tribunal
•communal
•Chunnel, funnel, gunnel, gunwale, runnel, tunnel
•autumnal • meridional
•embryonal, Lionel
•diagonal, heptagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, tetragonal
•trigonal • orthogonal • occasional
•divisional, provisional, visional
•delusional, fusional, illusional
•regional • original • coronal • arsenal
•medicinal
•impersonal, interpersonal, personal, transpersonal
•irrational, national, passional, rational
•factional, fractional, redactional, transactional
•confessional, congressional, expressional, impressional, obsessional, processional, professional, progressional, recessional, secessional, sessional, successional
•connectional, correctional, directional, interjectional, intersectional, sectional, unidirectional
•ascensional, attentional, conventional, declensional, intentional, tensional, three-dimensional, two-dimensional
•conceptional, exceptional, perceptional
•durational, locational, oblational, relational, vocational
•rotational
•additional, positional, tuitional, volitional
•fictional, jurisdictional
•inscriptional • optional • proportional
•devotional, emotional, notional, promotional
•constitutional, evolutional, institutional, substitutional
•constructional, fluxional, instructional
•conjunctional, dysfunctional, functional, multifunctional
•versional • seasonal
•colonel, diurnal, eternal, external, fraternal, infernal, internal, journal, kernel, maternal, nocturnal, paternal, supernal, vernal
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Cite this article
"kernel." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "kernel." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-kernel.html "kernel." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-kernel.html |
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