morsel

Pronunciation: /ˈmɔɹsəl/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a small quantity of anything
  2. noun a small amount of solid food; a mouthful

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.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
small indefinite quantity

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