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particle Definition

par·ti·cle (pärt′i kəl)

noun

    1. an extremely small piece; tiny fragment a dust particle
    2. the slightest trace; speck not a particle of truth
  2. Archaic a clause or article in a document
  3. Gram.
    1. a short, usually uninflected and invariable part of speech used to express a syntactic or semantic relationship, as an article or any of certain prepositions, conjunctions, or interjections
    2. a prefix or derivational suffix
  4. Physics elementary particle
  5. R.C.Ch. a small piece of the consecrated Host or any of the small Hosts given to lay communicants

Etymology: ME partycle < MFr particule < L particula, dim. of pars, part

particle Synonyms

particle

n.

jot, scrap, shred; see bit 1.

particle Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • emit: This research establishes for the first time a direct link between global warming and the soot particles emitted by motor vehicles.
  • suspend: I have recently branched out into studying phase transitions in colloids, which are particles suspended in a liquid phase host.
  • inhale: In some cases only 30 % of inhaled particles are trapped, the remainder are exhaled.

Adjective modifier

  • sub-atomic: There is apparently no end to the proliferation of yet smaller sub-atomic particles.
  • elementary: Particle Accelerators are devices used to accelerate charged elementary particles or ions to high energies.
  • subatomic: In addition, new concepts are introduced ranging from the scale of subatomic particles, up to the size of galaxies and beyond.
  • airborne: The unique design features multiple layers of oiled cotton fabric which captures the airborne dirt particles.
  • radioactive: Sand and seawater has penetrated the tunnel, trapping radioactive particles within the tunnel.
  • microscopic: These microscopic particles now have an electric charge which enables them to stick to surfaces more easily.

Modifies a noun

  • physics: They are all part of the GridPP project, which runs the UK particle physics Grid.
  • physic: Anyone interested in the world of elementary particle physics must get a copy.
  • accelerator: The LHC will be the world's most powerful particle accelerator.
  • physicist: They are building a distributed computing Grid across the UK for particle physicists.
  • size: How do Concept produce such a small particle size?

Noun used with modifier

  • alpha: The alpha particles will quickly be absorbed by clothing.
  • dust: Clouds of dust particles brought about vivid sunsets all over the world for the next three years.
  • aerosol: He will be investigating the optical properties of aerosol particles by cavity ringdown spectroscopy.
  • soot: This research establishes for the first time a direct link between global warming and the soot particles emitted by motor vehicles.
  • ultrafine: A major concern is the lack of knowledge regarding the ecotoxicity and the environmental impact of these ultrafine particles.
  • high-energy: Some speculate that the high-energy particles are not protons at all but some exotic new particle.