noun
particle
PAR-tih-kul/ˈpɑːrtɪkl/
A very small discrete unit of substance or energy.
A magnifying glass reveals a tiny particle of sand.
Etymology
The diminutive turns a “part” into a “little part.” The selected meaning preserves that image directly: a particle is a minute portion of matter.
In context
those different particles range greatly in size from the very very small clay particle to the relative very very large size of a sand particle
More examples
- The filter traps dust particles in the air.
- An electron is a particle with a negative electric charge.
- Light carries energy in particles called photons.
Forms
particle · particles
particulate adjective — Consisting of or containing tiny particles.