What does the word particle mean?

Usage examples for particle

  1. When the compound is formed with of, to prevent a repetition of this particle, the possessive sign is sometimes added as above; and yet the hyphen is not commonly inserted in the phrase, as I think it ought to be. – The Grammar of English Grammars by Goold Brown
  2. It is true, the preposition to does not well express the relation between weary and bear; and, doubtless, some regard should be had to the meaning of this particle, whenever it is any thing more than an index of the mood. – The Grammar of English Grammars by Goold Brown