n, pl  -clei  also  -cle*us*es  :  a relatively large densely staining nucleus of most ciliate protozoans that is derived from micronuclei and controls various nonreproductive functions - compare MICRONUCLEUS  mac*ro*nu*cle*ar adj 
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  mi·cro·nu·cle·us 
 
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