particle
/ˈpɑːtɪkl/noun
1
- a minute portion of matter颗粒, 微粒：
tiny particles of dust.
细微的尘埃。
1.1
- （亦作subatomic 或elementary particle）Physics any of numerous subatomic constituents of the physical world that interact with each other, including electrons, neutrinos, photons, and alpha particles【物理】粒子。
1.2
- with negative the least possible amount极小量：
he agrees without hearing the least particle of evidence.
他一点证言都没有听就同意了。
1.3
- Mathematics a hypothetical object having mass but no physical size【数】质点。
2
- Grammar a minor function word that has comparatively little meaning and does not inflect, in particular【语法】小品词; 虚词, 尤指：
2.1
- (in English) any of the class of words such as in, up, off, over, used with verbs to make phrasal verbs（英语中与动词连用构成短语动词的）小品词, 语助词。
2.2
- (in ancient Greek) any of the class of words such as de and ge, used for contrast and emphasis（古希腊语中表示对比和强调的）小品词, 虚词。
词源
late Middle English: from Latin particula 'little part', diminutive of pars, part-.