globule

American  

[glob-yool] / ˈglɒb yul /

noun

1. a small spherical body.

2. Bok globule.

---

globule British  

/ ˈɡlɒbjuːl /

noun

1. a small globe, esp a drop of liquid

2. astronomy a small dark nebula thought to be a site of star formation

---

Etymology

Origin of globule

From the Latin word globulus, dating back to 1655–65. See globe, -ule

Explanation

A globule is a small drop or blob of something, especially a thick liquid. It was only after you dripped globules of paint all over your bedroom floor that you realized you should have used a drop cloth when you painted the ceiling. When the word globule first appeared in English during the 17th century, it specifically referred to a tiny round thing, a "little globe or sphere." Its roots go back to the Latin globus, "round mass or ball." These days it's perfectly acceptable to talk about a globule of anything that's dripping or forming a small, blobby mass, like the globules of oatmeal in the hair of an enthusiastic baby at breakfast.

Example Sentences

If we’re lucky, we’ll soon pen That aggressive pathogen; Nasty globule — I’ll give you a kick, and Ugly bug, let’s get rid of you quick, ’cause Little virus, I’m thoroughly sick of you.

From Washington Post • Apr. 30, 2020

The NFL’s public response to the formal claims and informal allegations of unfair treatment has amounted to one small globule of PR gobbledygook.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2018

He also comes with a PK meter and a globule of sticky, pink silicone slime.

From Washington Times • Feb. 3, 2018

His words were upstaged by an unidentified white globule on his mouth.

From MSNBC • Mar. 4, 2016

A globule of spittle hit the back of the man's head and fell behind his ear.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan