decimal fraction

American  

[des-uh-muhl frak-shuhn, des-muhl] / ˈdɛs ə məl ˌfræk ʃən, ˈdɛs məl /

noun

Arithmetic.

1. a fraction whose denominator is some power of 10, usually indicated by a decimal point placed before the numerator, as 0.4 = 4/10; 0.126 = 126/1000.

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decimal fraction British  

noun

1. another name for decimal

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decimal fraction Scientific  

1. A decimal having no digits to the left of the decimal point except zero, such as 0.2 or 0.00354.

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Etymology

Origin of decimal fraction

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

Even a 1-0 or 2-1 defeat to South Africa would see the victors go level on points with England, but above them by a decimal fraction.

From The Guardian • Jul. 14, 2012

The race was nip-&-tuck; it was only by her decimal fraction that Mary Fontanna beat Gloria Miller of Pacific, Mo. Hoover & Garneld Sirs: I quote you from the irrepressible Walter Winchell's column of Sept.

From Time Magazine Archive

I know to a decimal fraction the value of all these; and, what 's more, I know what one pays for them,—the miserable vassalage, the poor slavery of mind, soul, and body they cost!

From The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II) by Lever, Charles James

They may then respond correctly when asked to write a decimal fraction, or to state which of these,—1⁄4, .4, 3⁄8, .07, .002, 5⁄6,—are common fractions and which are decimal fractions.

From The Psychology of Arithmetic by Thorndike, Edward L. (Edward Lee)

Ether is so rare that its density, compared with water, is represented by a decimal fraction with twenty-seven ciphers before it.

From Among the Forces by Warren, Henry White