fraction

[frak-shuh n]

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noun

Mathematics.

a number usually expressed in the form a/b.
a ratio of algebraic quantities similarly expressed.

Chemistry. (in a volatile mixture) a component whose range of boiling point temperatures allows it to be separated from other components by fractionation.

a part as distinct from the whole of anything; portion or section: The meeting started with a fraction of us present.

a very small part or segment of anything; minute portion: Only a fraction of the work was completed on time.

a very small amount; a little bit: It was only a fraction away from completion.

a piece broken off; fragment or bit.

the act of breaking.

Ecclesiastical. (in a Eucharistic service) the breaking of the Host.

verb (used with or without object)

to divide or break into fractions, sections, factions, etc.: Dissension threatens to fraction the powerful union.

Origin of fraction

1350–1400; Middle English fraccioun < Late Latin frāctiōn- (stem of frāctiō) a breaking (in pieces), equivalent to Latin frāct(us) (past participle of frangere to break) + -iōn- -ion

Related formssub·frac·tion, noun

Synonyms for fraction

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fraction ON THESAURUS.COM

3, 6. See part.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for fractions

portion, chunk, half, ratio, division, cut, end, fragment, section, share, slice, piece, bite, subdivision, part, partial, bit, segment, quotient

Examples from the Web for fractions

Contemporary Examples of fractions

High Frequency Trading (HFT) is a method used by financial institutions whereby stocks are traded in fractions of a second.
The Damage from Day-Trading
Ilana Glazer
March 11, 2013
Apple claims to have improved the glare problem, but its results would have to be measured in fractions.
5 Reasons I Hate My New MacBook Pro: A Geek’s Critique
Jason Stewart
June 15, 2012

Historical Examples of fractions

Further, each particle will have the appearance of being equal with the fractions.
Parmenides
Plato
Now, fractions of a millisecond later, the Lady May was directly in line.
The Game of Rat and Dragon
Cordwainer Smith
We have herds of fractions of men, acting as fractions of men and not as human beings.
The Ghost in the White House
Gerald Stanley Lee
On fractionating, the melting-points of the fractions were found to lie between 146° and 153°.
Researches on Cellulose
C. F. Cross
"You'll have no fractions at my side anyhow," says the Pope.
Stories of Comedy
Various

British Dictionary definitions for fractions

fraction

noun

maths

a ratio of two expressions or numbers other than zero
any rational number that is not an integer

any part or subdivisiona substantial fraction of the nation

a small piece; fragment

chem a component of a mixture separated by a fractional process, such as fractional distillation

Christianity the formal breaking of the bread in Communion

the act of breaking

verb

(tr) to divide

Word Origin for fraction

C14: from Late Latin fractiō a breaking into pieces, from Latin fractus broken, from frangere to break

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for fractions

fraction

late 14c., originally in the mathematical sense, from Anglo-French fraccioun (Old French fraccion, 12c., "breaking") and directly from Late Latin fractionem (nominative fractio) "a breaking," especially into pieces, noun of action from past participle stem of Latin frangere "to break," from PIE root *bhreg- "to break" (cf. Sanskrit (giri)-bhraj "breaking-forth (out of the mountains);" Gothic brikan, Old English brecan "to break;" Lithuanian brasketi "crash, crack;" Old Irish braigim "break" wind). Meaning "a breaking or dividing" is from early 15c.; sense of "broken off piece, fragment," is from c.1600.

fractions in Medicine

fraction

[frăk′shən]

n.

An expression that indicates the quotient of two quantities.

A chemical component separated by fractionation.

A disconnected piece; a fragment.

An aliquot portion or any portion.

fractions in Science

fraction

[frăk′shən]

A number that compares part of an object or a set with the whole, especially the quotient of two whole numbers written in the form ab. The fraction 12, which means 1 divided by 2, can represent such things as 10 pencils out of a box of 20, or 50 cents out of a dollar. See also decimal fraction improper fraction proper fraction.

A chemical component separated by fractionation.

fractions in Culture

fraction

A mathematical expression representing the division of one whole number by another. Usually written as two numbers separated by a horizontal or diagonal line, fractions are also used to indicate a part of a whole number or a ratio between two numbers. Fractions may have a value of less than one, as with 1/2, or equal to one, as with 2/2, or more than one, as with 3/2. The top number of a fraction is the numerator and the bottom number is the denominator.