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.
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.) 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.
Hear it pronounced