fractional

Also frac·tion·ar·y

[frak-shuh-nl]

adjective

1. pertaining to fractions; comprising a part or the parts of a unit; constituting a fraction.

   fractional numbers.

2. comparatively small; inconsiderable or insignificant.

   The profit on the deal was fractional.

3. Chemistry.,  of or noting a process, as distillation, crystallization, or oxidation, by which the component substances of a mixture are separated according to differences in certain of their properties, as boiling point, critical temperature, or solubility.

ˈfractional

/ ˈfrækʃənərI, ˈfrækʃənəl /

adjective

1. relating to, containing, or constituting one or more fractions

2. of or denoting a process in which components of a mixture are separated by exploiting differences in their physical properties, such as boiling points, solubility, etc

   fractional distillation

   fractional crystallization

3. very small or insignificant

4. broken up; fragmented

Other Word Forms

• fractionally adverb
• subfractional adjective
• subfractionally adverb
• subfractionary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fractional¹

First recorded in 1665–75; fraction + -al ¹

Example Sentences

"This new discovery of fractional electron distribution establishes an entirely new scientific foundation for understanding catalysts that we believe will drive new energy technologies over the next several decades."

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They’re designed to reduce a stock’s price to make it more affordable for individual investors, though in the days of fractional share purchases, that argument is less compelling that it once might have been.

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The stock inched down fractionally Friday and has lost 0.9% this year.

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The merits of stock splits are debatable now that fractional trading has become commonplace.

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Record-keepers designed their systems around mutual funds: daily net asset value calculations, fractional shares and payroll deductions.

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