ms:

atom, grain, mite, scrap, whit.
corpuscle, iota, molecule, shred,
element, jot, scintilla, tittle,

A _particle_ is a very small part of any material substance; as, a
_particle_ of sand or of dust; it is a general term, not accurately
determinate in meaning. _Atom_ (Gr. _a-_ privative, not, and _temno_,
cut) etymologically signifies that which can not be cut or divided, and
is the smallest conceivable _particle_ of matter, regarded as absolutely
homogeneous and as having but one set of properties; _atoms_ are the
ultimate _particles_ of matter. A _molecule_ is made up of _atoms_, and
is regarded as separable into its constituent parts; as used by
physicists, a _molecule_ is the smallest conceivable part which retains
all the characteristics of the substance; thus, a _molecule_ of water is
made up of two _atoms_ of hydrogen and one _atom_ of oxygen. _Element_
in chemistry denotes, without reference to quantity, a substance
regarded as simple, _i. e._, one incapable of being resolved by any
known process into simpler substances; the _element_ gold may be
represented by an ingot or by a _particle_ of gold-dust. In popular
language, an _element_ is any essential constituent; the ancients
believed that the universe was made up of the four _elements_, earth,
air, fire, and water; a storm is spoken of as a manifestation of the
fury of the _elements_. We speak of _corpuscles_ of blood. Compare PART.

Antonyms:

aggregate, entirety, mass, quantity, sum, sum total, total, whole.

* * * * *

PATIENCE.

Synonyms:

calmness, forbearance, long-suffering, sufferance.
composure, fortitude, resignation,
endurance, leniency, submission,

_Patience_ is the quality or habit of mind shown in bearing passively
and uncomplainingly any pain, evil, or hardship that may fall to one's
lot. _Endurance_ hardens itself against suffering, and may be merely
stubborn; _fortitude_ is _endurance_ animated by courage; _endurance_
may by modifiers be made to have a passive force, as when we speak of
"passive endurance;" _patience_ is not so hard as _endurance_ nor so
self-effacing as _submission_. _Submission_ is ordinarily and
_resignation_ always applied to matters of great moment, while
_patience_ may apply to slight worries and annoyances. As regards our
relations to our fellow men, _forbearance_ is abstaining from
retaliation or revenge; _patienc