English Explanatory Dictionary

morsel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small fragment or share of something, commonly applied to food.
  2. A mouthful of food.
  3. A very small amount.
verb
  1. To divide into small pieces.
  2. To feed with small pieces of food.

Pronunciation

/ˈmɔːsəl/ /ˈmɔɹsəl/ en-us-morsel.ogg

Word forms

morsel morsels morcel morseling morselling morseled morselled

Etymology

From Middle English morsel, from Old French morsel, from Medieval Latin morsellum (“a bit, a little piece”), diminutive of Latin morsum (“a bit”), neuter of morsus, perfect passive participle of mordeo (“to bite”). Compare French morceau, whence the English doublet morceau.

Synonyms

ace atom atomy aught bissel bit crumb glimpse dab damn dash diddly glint dot spatter drop dusting fleck glimmer hint flip flyspeck grain halfpennyworth inch iota jot lick mite modicum molecule morceau morsel mote ooch ounce particle pennyworth piece pinch relish scantling semblance scent scintilla scooch scrap scruple shred skerrick skoosh skosh sliver smattering smidge smidgen smidget smidgy smitch smithereen

Related words

mordant remorse

Derived words

morselization morselize Adam's morsel
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