morsel

American  

[mawr-suhl] / ˈmɔr səl /

noun

1. a bite, mouthful, or small portion of food, candy, etc.

2. a small piece, quantity, or amount of anything; scrap; bit.

3. something very appetizing; treat or tidbit.

4. a person or thing that is attractive or delightful.

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verb (used with object)

1. to distribute in or divide into tiny portions (often followed byout ).

   to morsel out the last pieces of meat.

morsel British  

/ ˈmɔːsəl /

noun

1. a small slice or mouthful of food

2. a small piece; bit

3. informal a term of endearment for a child

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Etymology

Origin of morsel

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French, equivalent to mors a bite (< Latin morsum something bitten off, noun use of neuter of morsus, past participle of mordēre to bite) + -el < Latin -ellus diminutive suffix; -elle

Example Sentences

While some have praised it as a feast, others have found it overstuffed, with some undercooked morsels behind the impressive presentation.

From BBC

At first the fire in the birch-bark roll refused to wake up, even when he blew on it coaxingly, and Renn fed it morsels of tinder warmed in her hands.

From Literature

A few years back he started coming to the door every morning, and he gets a few morsels.

From BBC

Isaac, always the responsible older brother, gives Jacob and me a little extra of his portion, and we accept those morsels gratefully.

From Literature

The opossum sniffs around, finds a morsel I missed, and slips it into his jaws.

From Literature

Related Words

• chunk
• crumb
• hunk
• mouthful
• snack
• tidbit