EnglishMain Dictionary
particle
Universal Words
noun
1 a very small piece of sth:
particles of dust * dust particles * There was not a particle of evidence (= no evidence at all) to support the case.
2 (physics) a very small piece of matter, such as an ELECTRON or PROTON, that is part of an atom
seealsoALPHAPARTICLE, ELEMENTARYPARTICLE
3 (grammar) an adverb or a preposition that can combine with a verb to make a PHRASALVERB:
In 'She tore up the letter', the word 'up' is a particle.
seealsoADVERBIALPARTICLE
