Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Particle
Par′ti-cle
,Noun.
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 dustThe small size of atoms which unite
To make the smallest
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 virtueThe 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 consecrated 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
Webster 1828 Edition
Particle
P`ARTICLE
,Noun.
1.
A minute part or portion of matter; as a particle of sand, of lime or of light.2.
In physics, a minute part of a body, an aggregation or collection of which constitutes the whole body or mass. The word is sometimes used in the same sense as atom, in the ancient Epicurean philosophy, and corpuscle in the latter. In this sense, particles are the elements or constituent parts of bodies.3.
Any very small portion or part; as, he has not a particle of patriotism or virtue; he would not resign a particle of his property.4.
In the Latin church, a crumb or little piece of consecrated bread.5.
In grammar, a word that is not varied or inflected; as a preposition.Organic particles, very minute moving bodies,perceptible only by the help of the microscope, discovered in the semen of animals.