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[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Fractionarray.jpg|right|frame]]
==Origins==
OF. fraccion (Fr. fraction), ad. eccl.L. fractin-em, n. of action f. frangre to break.]
==Definitions==
*1. The [[action]] of breaking:
:a. in the Eucharist: the breaking or dividing of the bread.
:b. with reference to [[material]] [[things]] in general, and to lines, etc.; also, [[refraction]] (of [[light]]). Obs.
:c. with reference to immaterial things; chiefly in obsolete uses, e.g. a disturbance (of the [[mind]]), an infraction or rupture (of the [[peace]]).
*2. The result of breaking; the [[state]] of [[being]] broken; a broken place, breach, fissure, rupture; spec. in Surg. a fracture. Obs.
*3. An interruption of [[good]] [[feeling]] or [[harmony]]; discord, [[dissension]]; a rupture. In early use also: A breach of the peace, brawling. Obs.
*4. a. Something broken off; a disconnected portion; a fragment, scrap, small piece. Said with reference both to material and immaterial things. by fractions: piecemeal, by halves. Now rare.
:b. ? A paragraph or section (of a book). Obs.
*5. Mathematics
:a. Arithmetic. A numerical [[quantity]] that is not an integer; one or more aliquot parts of a unit or whole number; an [[expression]] for a definite portion of a unit or magnitude.
common or vulgar fractions are those in which the numerator and denominator are represented by numbers placed the one above, the other below, a horizontal line. Sometimes fraction is used for ‘vulgar fraction’, or for a quantity expressed by means of a numerator and denominator; e.g. ‘the fraction = 2’. For complex, compound, continued, decimal, proper and improper fractions, see those [[words]].
:b. Algebra. An [[expression]] [[analogous]] to an arithmetical vulgar fraction, in which the numerator and denominator are algebraical terms or expressions.
*6. A portion of a section (sense 2e (b)) of land. U.S.
*7. Any one of the portions, differing in [[physical]] or [[chemical]] properties, into which a mixture may be separated, esp. by physical [[method]]s.
*8. In Communist use: see quots. 1922 and 1927. Also, a deviant or [[schismatic]] [[group]]. Hence fractionism, the views or policies of such a [[group]]; fractionist, a member or adherent of such a group. Also (all forms) transf. Cf. FRACTIONAL a. c. Hence fraction v., to break into fractions or pieces. fractionlet, a small fragment.
[[Category: General Reference]]
[[Category: General Reference]]
==Origins==
OF. fraccion (Fr. fraction), ad. eccl.L. fractin-em, n. of action f. frangre to break.]
==Definitions==
*1. The [[action]] of breaking:
:a. in the Eucharist: the breaking or dividing of the bread.
:b. with reference to [[material]] [[things]] in general, and to lines, etc.; also, [[refraction]] (of [[light]]). Obs.
:c. with reference to immaterial things; chiefly in obsolete uses, e.g. a disturbance (of the [[mind]]), an infraction or rupture (of the [[peace]]).
*2. The result of breaking; the [[state]] of [[being]] broken; a broken place, breach, fissure, rupture; spec. in Surg. a fracture. Obs.
*3. An interruption of [[good]] [[feeling]] or [[harmony]]; discord, [[dissension]]; a rupture. In early use also: A breach of the peace, brawling. Obs.
*4. a. Something broken off; a disconnected portion; a fragment, scrap, small piece. Said with reference both to material and immaterial things. by fractions: piecemeal, by halves. Now rare.
:b. ? A paragraph or section (of a book). Obs.
*5. Mathematics
:a. Arithmetic. A numerical [[quantity]] that is not an integer; one or more aliquot parts of a unit or whole number; an [[expression]] for a definite portion of a unit or magnitude.
common or vulgar fractions are those in which the numerator and denominator are represented by numbers placed the one above, the other below, a horizontal line. Sometimes fraction is used for ‘vulgar fraction’, or for a quantity expressed by means of a numerator and denominator; e.g. ‘the fraction = 2’. For complex, compound, continued, decimal, proper and improper fractions, see those [[words]].
:b. Algebra. An [[expression]] [[analogous]] to an arithmetical vulgar fraction, in which the numerator and denominator are algebraical terms or expressions.
*6. A portion of a section (sense 2e (b)) of land. U.S.
*7. Any one of the portions, differing in [[physical]] or [[chemical]] properties, into which a mixture may be separated, esp. by physical [[method]]s.
*8. In Communist use: see quots. 1922 and 1927. Also, a deviant or [[schismatic]] [[group]]. Hence fractionism, the views or policies of such a [[group]]; fractionist, a member or adherent of such a group. Also (all forms) transf. Cf. FRACTIONAL a. c. Hence fraction v., to break into fractions or pieces. fractionlet, a small fragment.
[[Category: General Reference]]
[[Category: General Reference]]
