| noun | 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” |
| noun | a single whole grain of a cereal “a kernel of corn” |
| noun | the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience “the gist of the prosecutor's argument” |
| central | adjective | serving as an essential component |
| essential | adjective | of the greatest importance |
| meaty | adjective | being on topic and prompting thought |
| pithy | adjective | concise and full of meaning; ; - Hervey Allen |
| summate | verb | form or constitute a cumulative effect |