globule

The word 'globule' is a direct diminutive formation from the Latin root globus, meaning a spherical mass or ball. The addition of the Latin diminutive suffix -ulus transforms the meaning from a general sphere to a specifically small, droplet-like sphere. This logical construction entered English in the mid-17th century, primarily in scientific contexts, to describe tiny spherical bodies, such as fat particles in milk or cells in blood. Its etymology perfectly captures its modern sense: a very small, round droplet.

Structure: glob (sphere, ball) + ule (diminutive suffix) 'glob' is from Latin globus (sphere, ball). 'ule' is a diminutive suffix from Latin -ulus, -ula, -ulum, indicating something small.