Particulus

Particulus is a term used mainly in Latin-language philosophy and in early scientific writings to denote a small part or an individual entity. The word derives from pars, meaning “part,” with the diminutive suffix -culus, yielding “a small part” or “a particle.” In medieval and early modern philosophy, particulus referred to a particular thing or instance, used in contrast with universals or generalities.

In philosophical discourse, particulus is associated with discussions of ontology and mereology, where it can denote a concrete instance of a property or a concrete part of a composite object. Some treatments link particulus to the broader idea of tropes or bare particulars, emphasizing its role as an individual instantiation rather than a general class. The usage is largely historical and tied to scholarly translations and debates about Latin terminology for ontology.

In the history of science, particulus occasionally appears as a generic label for a minute constituent of matter in authors who preferred Latin terminology. As scientific vocabulary evolved, the term gave way to more precise words such as particle, atom, or quantum. Today, particulus survives mainly in philological or historical contexts, appearing in analyses of Latin sources on ontology, metaphysics, and the development of early atomic theories.

Overall, particulus is considered a historical or linguistic reference rather than an active term in contemporary philosophy or physics. Related concepts include particle, trope, and mereology.