Category:Particle

Par"ti*cle, n. Etym: [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. The small size of atoms which unite to make the smallest particle of Light. Blackmore.

2. Any very small portion or part; the smallest portion; as, he has Not a particle of patriotism or virtue. The houses had not given their commissioners authority in the least Particle to recede. Clarendon.

3. (r. C. Ch.) (a) a crumb or little piece of concecrated host. (b) the smaller hosts distributed in the communion of the laity. Bp. Fitzpatrick.

4. (gram.)

Defn: 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.