Morsel

//ˈmɔɹsəl// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A small fragment or share of something, commonly applied to food.

    "By sticking out his tongue and curling it sideways to explore the hairy jungle around his mouth, he was always able to find a tasty morsel here and there to nibble on."

  2. 2
    a small amount of solid food; a mouthful wordnet
  3. 3
    A mouthful of food.

    "Me thinks I ſee the Turke nodding vvith his Turban, and telling me that I ſhould thanke Heaven for that diſtance vvhich is betvvixt us, els he vvould ſvvallovv me all up at one morſell; […]"

  4. 4
    a small quantity of anything wordnet
  5. 5
    A very small amount.

    "Didn't even a morsel of decency remain in his brother?"

Verb
  1. 1
    To divide into small pieces. transitive
  2. 2
    To feed with small pieces of food. obsolete, rare, transitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

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 (“I bite”). Compare French morceau, whence the English doublet morceau.

Etymology 2

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 (“I bite”). Compare French morceau, whence the English doublet morceau.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: morsel