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hairline fracture

British  

noun

  1. a very fine crack in a bone

"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

Example Sentences

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With chilling nonchalance, Victor observes the start of a hairline fracture that will eventually produce a painful crack.

From Salon Jul. 28, 2025

Freddie Freeman followed leadoff hitters Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts in the third spot, having avoided the injured list despite being diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his right middle finger earlier Monday.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 19, 2024

It ended up being a hairline fracture in the floor.

From New York Times Nov. 28, 2022

That led to a hairline fracture of his hamate bone in his left hand.

From Seattle Times Apr. 4, 2022

Then I watched as the little wisp of smoke drifted toward the floor of the airlock, disappearing through a hairline fracture.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

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