particle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈpɑːtɪk(ə)l/

noun

  • 1a minute portion of matter: tiny particles of dust
  • (also subatomic or elementary particle) Physics any of numerous subatomic constituents of the physical world that interact with each other, including electrons, neutrinos, photons, and alpha particles.
  • Mathematics a hypothetical object having mass but no physical size.
  • 2 [with negative] the least possible amount: he agrees without hearing the least particle of evidence
  • 3 Grammar (in English) any of the class of words such as in, up, off, over, used with verbs to make phrasal verbs.
  • (in ancient Greek) any of a class of words used for contrast and emphasis, such as de and ge.

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin particula 'little part', diminutive of pars, part-