par·ti·cle 
/ˈpɑɚtɪkəl/ noun
plural par·ticles /ˈpɑɚtɪkəl/ noun [count] 1 a : a very small piece of something
▪ fine particles of sand ▪ food particles
b : a very small amount of something
▪ There is not a particle of evidence to support their claim. ▪ There is not a particle of truth in what he said. 2 physics : any one of the very small parts of matter (such as a molecule, atom, or electron)
▪ subatomic particles 3 grammar : an adverb or preposition that when combined with a verb creates a phrasal verb
▪ The phrasal verb “look up” consists of the verb “look” and the adverbial particle “up.”
▪ fine particles of sand ▪ food particles
b : a very small amount of something
▪ There is not a particle of evidence to support their claim. ▪ There is not a particle of truth in what he said.
▪ subatomic particles
▪ The phrasal verb “look up” consists of the verb “look” and the adverbial particle “up.”
