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Added 9 October 2026

particle

/ˈpɑːtɪkl̩/ noun

In Latin: particula Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about particle at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

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

Origin

From Middle French particule, and its source, Latin particula (“small part, particle”), diminutive of pars (“part, piece”). Semantically displaced native Old English grot whence modern English groat.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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