particule

particle

noun par-tee-KOOL Rare

Origin: Latin particula (small part)

Usage Note

Particule covers both scientific particles (subatomic, dust) and the French grammatical particle de in aristocratic surnames such as Charles de Gaulle — the particule nobiliaire is a cultural marker of old noble families. The plural is regular: particules.

Examples

"La particule 'de' précède son nom de famille."

Natural Translation

The particle 'de' precedes his surname.

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