the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story"
a single whole grain of a cereal; "a kernel of corn"
the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone; "black walnut kernels are difficult to get out of the shell"
living things collectively; "the oceans are teeming with life"
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities; "he could no longer cope with the complexities of life"
a motive for living; "pottery was his life"
a living person; "his heroism saved a life"
the organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms from nonliving ones; "there is no life on the moon"
the course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living; "he hoped for a new life in Australia"; "he wanted to live his own life without interference from others"
a characteristic state or mode of living; "social life"; "city life"; "real life"
the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death); "the battery had a short life"; "he lived a long and happy life"
the period between birth and the present time; "I have known him all his life"
the period from the present until death; "he appointed himself emperor for life"
not appropriate or proper (or even legal) in the circumstances; "undue influence"; "I didn't want to show undue excitement"; "accused of using undue force"
lacking justification or authorization; "unreasonable searches and seizures"; "desire for undue private profit"; "unwarranted limitations of personal freedom"
the act of transacting within or between groups (as carrying on commercial activities); "no transactions are possible without him"; "he has always been honest is his dealings with me"