Nuking Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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nuking
[njuːkɪŋ ]
Definition
military action
Nuking refers to the act of using nuclear weapons to destroy a target. This term is often used in discussions about warfare and the consequences of nuclear conflict. It underscores the devastating impact such weapons have on people and the environment.
Synonyms
bombing, destroying, devastating.
Examples of usage
- The country threatened to start nuking its enemies.
- During the war, there were debates about the consequences of nuking civilian areas.
- Scientists are studying the long-term effects of past nuking incidents.
- The documentary explores the ethics of nuking populated cities.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- The term originated in the 1940s during the development and use of atomic bombs in World War II.
- The first nuclear bomb was tested in 1945 in New Mexico, forever changing warfare.
- The phrase 'nuclear option' is derived from this word, commonly used in discussions about extreme measures in politics.
Pop Culture
- Movies like 'Dr. Strangelove' satirically portrayed the concept of nuclear warfare and its absurdities.
- The term 'nuking' is often used in video games to describe powerful attacks that can obliterate large areas.
- Television shows like 'The Simpsons' have episodes that humorously touch on themes of nuclear power and bombs.
Science
- Nuclear reactions involve processes like fission, where atomic reactions release huge amounts of energy.
- The energy produced by a nuclear bomb comes from the splitting of atoms, a principle discovered by scientists like Einstein.
- Hydrogen bombs, a more powerful type of nuclear weapon, use fusion to combine atoms, amplifying their destructive power.
Psychology
- The fear of nuclear weapons, known as 'nuclear anxiety,' emerged during the Cold War, affecting many people's mental health.
- Studies have shown that discussions about nuclear weapons can trigger anxiety and stress in individuals.
- The concept of 'mutually assured destruction' during the Cold War created a constant psychological tension between superpowers.
Literature
- Dystopian novels often explore the aftermath of nuclear warfare, such as 'On the Beach' by Nevil Shute, predicting world scenarios post-nuclear events.
- Poets like W.H. Auden and John Updike wrote about the moral implications and fears surrounding nuclear weapons in their works.
- Many political commentators have published works addressing the ethical dilemmas posed by nuclear armament and disarmament.
Origin of 'nuking'
The term 'nuking' derives from the word 'nuclear', which is related to the nucleus of an atom. The word 'nuclear' gained prominence in the mid-20th century, particularly after the development of nuclear weapons during World War II. The first successful detonation of a nuclear weapon in 1945, known as the Trinity test, marked the beginning of the nuclear age. Following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the same year, the term 'nuking' became widely used to describe the use of atomic bombs in warfare. Since then, the implications of nuclear warfare have raised significant ethical, moral, and political questions, making the verb 'nuking' synonymous with catastrophic destruction and global conflict.