fraction
/ˈfɹæk.ʃən/ noun, verb, proper noun
Forms fractions fractioning fractioned
- noun A part of a whole, especially a comparatively small part.
- noun (arithmetic) A ratio of two numbers (numerator and denominator), usually written one above the other and separated by a horizontal bar called the vinculum or, alternatively, in sequence on the same line and separated by a solidus (diagonal bar). “Gasoline prices show the mill as a fraction, for example $3.59+⁹⁄₁₀.”
- noun (chemistry) A component of a mixture, separated by fractionation.
- noun (Christianity) In a eucharistic service, the breaking of the host.
- noun A small amount.
- noun (archaic) The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence.
- verb (transitive) To divide or break into fractions.
- verb (transitive) To fractionate.
- proper noun A surname.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English fraccioun (“a breaking”), from Anglo-Norman, Old French fraccion, from Medieval Latin fractio (“a fragment, portion”), from earlier Latin fractio (“a breaking, a breaking into pieces”), from fractus, past participle of frangere (“to break”) (whence English frangible), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg- (English break). Doublet of frazione.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence. [Obs.]
- noun A portion; a fragment.
- verb To separate by means of, or to subject to, fractional distillation or crystallization; to fractionate; --frequently used with out; as, to fraction out a certain grade of oil from pretroleum.
Etymology [F. fraction, L. fractio a breaking, fr. frangere, fractum, to break. See Break.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “fraction”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details