fracture

American  

[frak-cher] / ˈfræk tʃər /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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 Scientific  

/ frăk′chər /

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.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of fracture

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

Example Sentences

“The assumption with the large earthquake,” Malone explained, “is that it’s a fracture of the rock … Like if you bend a stick and it breaks, you hear a pop— that’s the earthquake!”

From Literature

The Somerset couple set off in October last year, but after a stress fracture for Langley-Wathen, they were forced to stop after covering just 60 miles.

From BBC

There are some complaints Kabawat could do more to help mend the fractures between Syria's different communities.

From BBC

Although their paths seem to be widely divergent, Vernice and Annie’s common desire for love, connection and purpose resonates deeply, which promises to make “Kin” a balm for readers’ fractured spirits in these divided times.

From Los Angeles Times

Everton winger Jack Grealish is set to miss the rest of the season with a fractured foot that puts his hopes of making the World Cup in severe doubt.

From Barron's

Related Words

• crack
• fissure
• wound