particle

[French particule, from Lat. par ticula, a double dim in. from pars (gen it, partis )=a part; Sp. particula; Ital. part i cola, particula.] I. Ordinary Language : 1. A minute part or portion of matter, of an aggregation of which the whole ma consists; an atom, a molecule. 2. The smallest or a very small part, portion, or quantity; an atom; as, He has not a particle of honor in him. II. Technically : 1. Gram .: A word which is not varied by inflection, as a preposition, a conjunction; a word which cannot be used except in composition, as- ward , -ly . "The reader has a particular of the books, wherein this law was written." - Auliffe : Parergon. *4. Private concern or relations; personal interest or concern. "As far as toucheth my particular ." Shakesp.: Troilus and Cre ida , ii. 2. *5. Private character; personal or special peculiar "For this particular , I'll receive him gladly, But not one follower." Shakesp .: Lear , iv. 2. In particular : Particularly, especially. particular-average, s . [AVERAGE, 8. ] Particular Baptists, s . pl . Ecclesiol. & Church Hist .: A division of the Baptist denomination holding particular ciection (q.v.). They published a "Confe ion of Faith" in 1643, revised in 1689.