Par"ti*cle (?), n. [L. particula,
dim of pars, gen partis, a part: cf. F.
particule. See Part, and cf. Parcel.]
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 dust.
The small size of atoms which unite
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
virtue.
The 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 concecrated 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.
