morsel

English

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, past participle of mordere (“to bite”). Compare French morceau.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈmɔːsəl/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈmɔɹsəl/
    • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)səl

Noun

morsel (plural morsels)

  1. A small fragment or share of something, commonly applied to food.
  2. A very small amount.
    • 2008, Pamela Griffin, New York Brides, Barbour Publishing Inc. (2008), →ISBN, page 70:
      Didn't even a morsel of decency remain in his brother?

Synonyms

  • See also Thesaurus:modicum.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

  • morsel in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • morsel in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Anagrams

Old French

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Medieval Latin morsellum (“a bit, a little piece”), diminutive of Latin morsum (“a bit”), neuter of morsus, past participle of mordeō, mordēre (“bite, nibble, gnaw”), from Proto-Indo-European *merə- (“to rub, wipe; to pack, rob”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /mɔr.ˈsɛl/

Noun

morsel m (oblique plural morseaus or morseax or morsiaus or morsiax or morsels, nominative singular morseaus or morseax or morsiaus or morsiax or morsels, nominative plural morsel)

  1. morsel; bit; piece

Descendants

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