particle

1) a preposition meaning the same as of as the first and sometimes only part of a nobiliary; the p. may be followed by an article; this p. is introduced in PS-RULE [PS6] as the preposition FROM and article THE; 2) a word placed before a given name so that the combination (a patronymic) indicates that the individual is the son/daughter of the person with that name; this p. is introduced in PS-RULE [PS7]; 3) a word placed before the given name of a saint making the whole (a hagionym) usable as a surname; this p. is introduced in PS-RULE [PS8]