NUCLEAR OPTION

PRONUNCIATION: (NOO/NYOO-klee-uhr op-shuhn)

MEANING: noun:
1. The option to use nuclear weapons in a conflict.
2. The most drastic or extreme measure among a range of available options.
3. In the US Senate, a change to the rules that allows a simple majority vote to overcome a filibuster instead of the usual supermajority requirement.

ETYMOLOGY: From nuclear, from nucleus (kernel), from Latin nucula (little nut), from nux (nut) + Latin optare (to choose). Earliest documented use: 1962.
______________________________

NaCl EAR OPTION - to try to clear the wax out of your ears with saline, not peroxide

NUN CLEAR OPTION - the choice to have your Parochial School teacher wipe all the data from your computer

NU LEARN OPTION - to decide to study Greek instead of Latin