fractionate

[ frak-shuh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, frac·tion·at·ed, frac·tion·at·ing.

1. to separate or divide into component parts, fragments, divisions, etc.
2. to separate (a mixture) into ingredients or into portions having different properties, as by distillation or crystallization; cause to undergo fractional distillation, crystallization, or the like.
3. to obtain by such a process.

fractionate

/ ˈfrækʃəˌneɪt /

verb

1. to separate or cause to separate into constituents or into fractions containing concentrated constituents
2. tr chem to obtain (a constituent of a mixture) by a fractional process

Derived Forms

• ˈfractionˌator, noun
• ˌfractionˈation, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fractionate¹

First recorded in 1865–70; fraction + -ate ¹