Fraction
[frak-shuh n] /ˈfræk ʃən/
noun
1.
Mathematics.
2.
Chemistry. (in a volatile mixture) a component whose range of boiling point temperatures allows it to be separated from other components by fractionation.
3.
a part as distinct from the whole of anything; portion or section:
The meeting started with a fraction of us present.
4.
a very small part or segment of anything; minute portion:
Only a fraction of the work was completed on time.
5.
a very small amount; a little bit:
It was only a fraction away from completion.
6.
a piece broken off; fragment or bit.
7.
the act of breaking.
8.
Ecclesiastical. (in a Eucharistic service) the breaking of the Host.
verb (used with or without object)
9.
to divide or break into fractions, sections, factions, etc.:
Dissension threatens to fraction the powerful union.
/ˈfrækʃən/
noun
1.
(maths)
2.
any part or subdivision: a substantial fraction of the nation
3.
a small piece; fragment
4.
(chem) a component of a mixture separated by a fractional process, such as fractional distillation
5.
(Christianity) the formal breaking of the bread in Communion
6.
the act of breaking
verb
7.
(transitive) to divide
n.
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.
fraction frac·tion (frāk’shən)
n.
fraction
(frāk’shən)
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.
Read Also:
- Fractional
[frak-shuh-nl] /ˈfræk ʃə nl/ adjective 1. pertaining to ; comprising a part or the parts of a unit; constituting a : fractional numbers. 2. comparatively small; inconsiderable or insignificant: The profit on the deal was fractional. 3. Chemistry. of or noting a process, as distillation, crystallization, or oxidation, by which the component substances of a […]
- Fractional crystallization
noun 1. (chem) the process of separating the components of a solution on the basis of their different solubilities, by means of evaporating the solution until the least soluble component crystallizes out fractional crystallization (frāk’shə-nəl) A process by which a chemical compound is separated into components by crystallization. In fractional crystallization the compound is mixed […]
- Fractional-currency
noun 1. coins or paper money of a smaller denomination than the basic monetary unit. noun 1. paper or metal money of smaller denomination than the standard monetary unit
- Fractional-distillation
noun, Chemistry. 1. the separation of volatile components of different boiling points in a mixture by the gradual increase of temperature and the separate collection of each component. noun 1. the process of separating the constituents of a liquid mixture by heating it and condensing separately the components according to their different boiling points 2. […]
- Fractionalize
[frak-shuh-nl-ahyz] /ˈfræk ʃə nlˌaɪz/ verb (used with or without object), fractionalized, fractionalizing. 1. to divide or splinter into fractions, sections, factions, etc.