particle

Noun
Synonyms: atommoleculecorpusclemotespecksubatomic particle

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anythingSynonyms: atommoleculecorpusclemotespeck
  2. a body having finite mass and internal structure but negligible dimensionsSynonyms: subatomic particle
  3. a function word that can be used in English to form phrasal verbs
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Particle \Par"ti*cle\, n. [L. particula, dim. of pars, gen partis, a part: cf. F. particule. See Part, and cf. Parcel.]

1.A minute part or portion of matter; a morsel; a little bit; an atom; a jot; as, a particle of sand, of wood, of dust. [1913 Webster]

The small size of atoms which unite To make the smallest particle of light.— Blackmore.[1913 Webster]

2.Any very small portion or part; the smallest portion; as, he has not a particle of patriotism or virtue. [1913 Webster]

The houses had not given their commissioners authority in the least particle to recede.— Clarendon.[1913 Webster]

3.(R. C. Ch.) (a) A crumb or little piece of consecrated host. (b) The smaller hosts distributed in the communion of the laity. --Bp. Fitzpatrick. [1913 Webster]

4.(Gram.) A subordinate word that is never inflected (a preposition, conjunction, interjection); or a word that can not be used except in compositions; as, ward in backward, ly in lovely. [1913 Webster]

4.(Physics) An elementary particle. [PJC]

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