Definition

1. Noun:
   • A minute piece of matter: An extremely small fragment or quantity of a substance.
   • A subatomic entity: In physics, a body with finite mass and internal structure but considered to have negligible dimensions, such as an electron or proton.
   • A function word: In grammar, a minor part of speech, such as an adverb or preposition, that does not inflect and is used to form phrasal verbs or express grammatical relationships.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Tiny piece):
  • A particle of dust floated in the sunlight.
  • There wasn't a particle of evidence to support the claim.
• Noun (Physics):
  • Scientists are studying the behavior of a subatomic particle.
  • The particle accelerator collides protons at high speeds.
• Noun (Grammar):
  • In the phrasal verb "give up," the word "up" is a particle.
  • The sentence uses the negative particle "not."

Advanced Usage

• "Not a particle of truth": Used to emphasize a complete absence of something, typically truth or sense.
  • There is not a particle of truth in that rumor.
• In quantum mechanics: Refers to entities like photons or quarks that exhibit both particle and wave-like properties.
  • The wave-particle duality is a fundamental concept.

Variants and Related Words

• Particulate (adj): Relating to or in the form of minute separate particles.
  • The air quality was poor due to high levels of particulate matter.
• Particle physics (n): The branch of physics that studies the nature and interactions of subatomic particles.

Synonyms

• Speck: A tiny spot or particle.
• Bit: A small piece or amount.
• Mote: A tiny piece of a substance, especially dust.

Related Phrases

• Particle of speech: An alternative term for a grammatical particle.
• Elementary particle: In physics, a particle not known to have substructure, such as a quark.

Related Idioms

• Every particle of: Every single bit of; all of.
  • She put every particle of her energy into the project.

Noun

1. a function word that can be used in English to form phrasal verbs
2. a body having finite mass and internal structure but negligible dimensions
3. (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything