particle

par-ti-cle · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A minute portion of matter; an extremely small piece or amount.

  2. 2.

    (Physics) A subatomic unit of matter, such as an electron, proton, or neutron.

  3. 3.

    (Grammar) A minor function word that has a grammatical purpose but does not belong to any major parts of speech, such as "up" in "give up."

  4. 4.

    The smallest possible amount; a tiny trace.

Forms

plural: particles

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    elementary particle — a subatomic particle with no substructure
  • •
    particle physics — the branch of physics studying subatomic particles
  • •
    particle board — building material made from compressed wood particles
  • •
    not a particle — not the slightest amount

Related words

Antonyms: mass, whole
See also: atom, fragment, molecule, physics
Synonyms: atom, bit, fragment, speck

Etymology

From Latin particula ("small part, particle"), diminutive of pars ("part"). Entered English in the 14th century.