fragmentation
noun
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What does fragmentation mean?
Fragmentation most generally means the process of fragmenting—breaking into pieces or being divided into parts. It can also refer to the state or result of being broken up or having been divided.
As a noun, fragment can refer to a part that has broken off (as in a bone fragment) or one that has been intentionally separated from a whole (as in I tore off a fragment of the map).
Fragmentation often involves the division of something into smaller parts or groups, as in The fragmentation of voters means that it will be much harder to build a coalition of supporters.
Fragmentation can also refer to the process of falling apart or disintegrating, especially in the context of abstract or intangible things, as in The fragmentation of the empire has resulted in multiple warring states. Such things can be described with the adjective fragmented.
It sometimes refers to the collapse or breakdown of certain norms, behaviors, or institutions, as in the fragmentation of society.
Fragmentation is also used as a verb in a much more specific way in the context of computers, in which it refers to the storing of data files in a way that breaks them up. The opposite of this sense of fragmentation is defragmentation—the process of bringing the parts of the files back together.
The verb fragmentate, which comes from fragmentation, means the same thing as the verb fragment—to separate something into parts or to break it into fragments. The verb fragmentize means the same thing.
Example: The fragmentation and isolation of so many sectors of society has caused us to become more divided than ever.
Where does fragmentation come from?
The first records of the word fragmentation come from the 1880s. It ultimately comes from the Latin fragmentum, meaning “a broken piece,” from the verb frangere, meaning “to break.” The word fragile also comes from frangere. The suffix -ation is used to form nouns and indicates a process, action, state, condition, or result. The verb fragmentate is a back formation of fragmentation—meaning that fragmentation came first and was then altered to make fragmentate.
When it’s used in the context of physical things, fragmentation often refers to a passive process in which things are broken up by outside forces, such as the fragmentation of rock through erosion. When it’s used in the context of intangible or abstract things, fragmentation often involves division, disintegration, or collapse. It is often used in a negative way to refer to the collapse of things like morals, norms, or institutions considered to be undergoing decay.
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What are some other forms related to fragmentation?
- fragment (verb, noun)
- fragmentate (verb)
What are some synonyms for fragmentation?
- fragmentization
- disintegration
- division
- splintering
- breaking
What are some words that share a root or word element with fragmentation?
What are some words that often get used in discussing fragmentation?
How is fragmentation used in real life?
Fragmentation is often used to refer to the disintegration or division or intangible things, like society or an audience, but it can be used in many different contexts.
"…the internet…absolutely establishes and shows us that we are living in total fragmentation…
"I think the potential of what the internet is going to do to society, both good and bad, is unimaginable…
"It's an alien lifeform." https://t.co/A56xDWAfJX
— Jonathan Skillings (@jeskillings) October 29, 2020
Analysis of #Fragmentation of #Rock Blocks from Real-Scale Tests
👉https://t.co/cGdhbPDi8U pic.twitter.com/IVbUVrJUSf— Geosciences MDPI (@Geosciences_OA) September 9, 2020
In only a century, man-made habitat fragmentation has had an observable impact on the genetic diversity of lions, Drs. Caitlin Curry and James Derr found in a recent study.
Read more: https://t.co/AR9Ga5wqsw#TAMU #CVMBS @ThatLionLady pic.twitter.com/gaqUD25cwq
— Texas A&M Vet Med (@tamuvetmed) November 2, 2020
Try using fragmentation!
Which of the following words is a synonym of fragmentation?
A. breaking
B. splintering
C. division
D. all of the above