particle
UK[ˈpɑːtɪkl̩]US[ˈpɑːrtɪkl̩]
n
A very small piece or amount of something.
n
A minute portion of matter.
n
In physics, a subatomic object with mass and structure but negligible size.
n
In grammar, a minor part of speech such as an article, preposition, or conjunction.
Morpheme Breakdown
part
icle
part
portion
icle
small thing
Etymology
The word 'particle' entered English in the late 14th century via Old French 'particule', which itself derived from Latin 'particula', meaning a small part or grain. The Latin term is a diminutive of 'pars' (genitive 'partis'), meaning a piece or portion. This etymological construction directly informs its modern meanings, where a particle is conceptually a minute fragment or portion of a larger whole, whether referring to a speck of dust, a subatomic component, or a minor grammatical unit. The core logic from its Latin roots—a "small part"—has remained remarkably consistent across its scientific and general applications.
Analysis
Structure: part (portion) + icle (small thing)
'part' originates from Latin 'pars, partis' meaning a piece or share. '-icle' is a diminutive suffix from Latin '-iculus', indicating a small version of something.
Examples
A particle of dust floated in the sunbeam.
In quantum mechanics, a particle can also behave like a wave.
The sentence uses the negative particle 'not'.