particle

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A very small piece of something.

   Tiny particles of dust floated in the sunlight.

2. 2
   noun

   A tiny unit of matter smaller than an atom.

   Scientists study how subatomic particles behave.

3. 3
   noun

   A small word, such as 'to' or 'up', that has a grammatical job but little meaning on its own.

   In the phrase 'give up', the word 'up' is a particle.

From Middle French particule, and its source, Latin particula (“small part, particle”), diminutive of pars (“part, piece”). Semantically displaced native Old English grot whence modern English groat.

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