Particle
/ˈpɑːr.tɪ.kəl/noun
A very small piece or quantity of matter.
Did you know?The word comes through Latin *particula*, a diminutive of *pars* (“part”), so even modern physics still uses a word built from the ancient language of division.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to divide, to allot, to sell”
Latin
Latin
pars
“a part, share, or portion”
Latin
Latin
particula
“a small part, a little piece”
Old French
Old French
particule
“a small particle or tiny part”
Middle English
English
particle
“a very small part or piece”
Modern English
English
particle
“a minute fragment or a subatomic constituent”