morsel

Everyday

1. A small piece or bite of food. tree →
2. A small amount of anything: «not a morsel of sense». tree →

In the lessons

In stories hungry characters search for a morsel to eat; animals snatch tasty morsels. In everyday talk «a tasty morsel» is a small delicious bite. In The Wind in the Willows the animals share every morsel at their feasts.

Examples

• The bird pecked up every morsel of bread. tree →
• The hungry boy had not eaten a morsel all day. tree →
• Rat offered Mole a tasty morsel from the picnic. tree →
• The dog waited for a morsel to fall from the table. tree →
• There was not a morsel left on the plate. tree →
• She did not have a morsel of fear. tree →
• Have you a morsel of bread?’ tree →

Note

Countable: a morsel, morsels. Similar: bite, scrap, crumb, titbit (UK) / tidbit (US).

In Jewish tradition

Abraham offers only "a morsel of bread" but then prepares a full meal for the three visitors. Tradition praises him for saying little and doing much, as a model of welcoming guests. Job says he never ate his morsel alone without sharing with the fatherless, and Proverbs prefers a dry morsel in peace to a feast with strife. In the primary lessons: In stories hungry characters search for a morsel to eat; animals snatch tasty morsels. In everyday talk «a tasty morsel» is a small delicious bite. In The Wind in the Willows the animals share every morsel at their feasts.

Examples

• And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and stay ye your heart; after that ye shall pass on; forasmuch as ye are come to your servant.' And they said: 'So do, as thou hast said.' (Torah GEN.18.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof — (Writings JOB.31.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. (Writings PRO.23.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting with strife. (Writings PRO.17.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: a morsel, morsels. Similar: bite, scrap, crumb, titbit (UK) / tidbit (US).