fracture

[frak-cher]

noun

1. the breaking of a bone, cartilage, or the like, or the resulting condition.

2. the act of breaking; state of being broken.

3. a break, breach, or split.

4. the characteristic manner of breaking.

   a material of unpredictable fracture.

5. the characteristic appearance of a broken surface, as of a mineral.

verb (used with object)

fractured, fracturing 

1. to cause or to suffer a fracture in (a bone, etc.).

2. to break or crack.

   Synonyms: split, rupture, splinter, shatter, smash

3. Slang.,  to amuse highly or cause to laugh heartily; delight.

   The new comic really fractured the audience.

verb (used without object)

fractured, fracturing 

1. to become fractured; break.

   a mineral that does not fracture easily.

fracture

/ ˈfræktʃə /

noun

1. the act of breaking or the state of being broken

2. 1. the breaking or cracking of a bone or the tearing of a cartilage

   2. the resulting condition See also Colles' fracture comminuted fracture compound fracture greenstick fracture impacted

3. a division, split, or breach

4. mineralogy

   1. the characteristic appearance of the surface of a freshly broken mineral or rock

   2. the way in which a mineral or rock naturally breaks

verb

1. to break or cause to break; split

2. to break or crack (a bone) or (of a bone) to become broken or cracked

3. to tear (a cartilage) or (of a cartilage) to become torn

fracture

1. A break or rupture in bone tissue.

2. ◆ A comminuted fracture results in more than two fragments.

3. ◆ Although most fractures are caused by a direct blow or sudden, twisting force, stress fractures result from repetitive physical activity.

4. ◆ In an incomplete fracture, the fracture line does not completely traverse the bone.

Other Word Forms

• fracturable adjective
• fractural adjective
• fracturer noun
• postfracture adjective
• refracturable adjective
• refracture verb
• unfractured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fracture¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin frāctūra “a breach, cleft, fracture,” from frāct(us) “broken” (past participle of frangere “to break, shatter”; break ) + -ūra -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of fracture¹

C15: from Old French, from Latin fractūra , from frangere to break

Example Sentences

"Tests carried out on Monday... confirmed that she suffered a fracture... of the fibula on the left ankle," Barcelona said in a statement.

Read more on Barron's

A member of a Homeland Security task force was hospitalized with a “possible sternum fracture” after being hit by a car in November in National City, just outside of San Diego, according to DHS.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Over the past twenty years, this shelf has developed increasing fractures around a major shear zone located upstream of that pinning point.

Read more on Science Daily

A statement from the Royal Spanish Football Federation said that "following tests carried out by the medical services" Bonmati was "diagnosed with a fracture in her left fibula".

Read more on BBC

Nights like this are what propelled a fractured Eastside music scene into becoming a full-fledged scene.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crack 
• fissure 
• wound