granule

[ gran-yool ]

noun

1. a little grain.
2. a small particle; pellet.
3. a corpuscle; sporule.

granule

/ ˈɡrænjuːl /

noun

1. a small grain
2. geology a single rock fragment in gravel, smaller than a pebble but larger than a sand grain
3. astronomy another name for granulation

granule

/ grăn′yo̅o̅l /

1. A rock or mineral fragment larger than a sand grain and smaller than a pebble. Granules have a diameter between 2 and 4 mm (0.08 and 0.16 in) and are often rounded.
2. Any of the small, transient convective cells within the Sun's photosphere where hot gases rise and quickly dissipate. Granules are generally between a few hundred and 1,500 km in width. They completely cover the Sun's surface, giving it its characteristic grainy or stippled look, and form and break up within a matter of minutes.
3. An aggregate of enclosed grainy matter found in a cell. Granulocytes, mast cells and other cells contain granules in their cytoplasm, which differ in size and can often be identified by a characteristic laboratory stain based on their composition. Granules produce and store biologically active substances, the release of which is called degranulation . The granules of granulocytes contain mostly multiple enzymes and other proteins; those of mast cells contain histamine and other chemical mediators.

Word History and Origins

Origin of granule¹

First recorded in 1645–55, granule is from the Late Latin word grānulum small grain. See grain, -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of granule¹

C17: from Late Latin grānulum a small grain

Example Sentences

The granules, which seem to sort mRNAs so they can later be translated into proteins or degraded, were the main focus of Kedersha’s research career.

From Science Magazine

He hated that I left granules of detergent all over the washer and garage floor.

From Los Angeles Times

They are identified by their distinctive granules that stain red when treated with an acidic reagent, eosin, which gave them their name.

From Science Daily

Because fentanyl is combined with other substances, the distribution of the opioid’s granules is uneven.

From New York Times

At factories like Sonic Wax, which supplies Key Production, Karen says they're replacing fossil fuels with biofuels when making the plastic granules that are the building blocks of records.

From BBC

Related Words

• cereal
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