51Թ

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View synonyms for

fraction

[frak-shuhn]

noun

  1. Mathematics.

    1. a number usually expressed in the form a/b.

    2. a ratio of algebraic quantities similarly expressed.

  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)

  1. to divide or break into fractions, sections, factions, etc..

    Dissension threatens to fraction the powerful union.

fraction

/ ˈڰæʃə /

noun

  1. maths

    1. a ratio of two expressions or numbers other than zero

    2. any rational number that is not an integer

  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

“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

verb

  1. (tr) to divide

“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

fraction

  1. A number that compares part of an object or a set with the whole, especially the quotient of two whole numbers written in the form a/b. The fraction 1/2, which means 1 divided by 2, can represent such things as 10 pencils out of a box of 20, or 50 cents out of a dollar.

  2. See also decimal fraction improper fraction proper fraction

  3. A chemical component separated by fractionation.

fraction

  1. 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.

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Other 51Թ Forms

  • subfraction noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of fraction1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fraccioun, from Late Latin ڰ峦پō- (stem of ڰ峦پō ) “a breaking (in pieces),” equivalent to Latin ڰ峦(ܲ) (past participle of frangere “to break, shatter”; break ) + -ō- -ion
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of fraction1

C14: from Late Latin ڰپō a breaking into pieces, from Latin fractus broken, from frangere to break
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Synonym Study

See part.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

To make domestic production viable, Keen has invested heavily in automation, enabling the Kentucky plant to operate with just a fraction of the workforce required overseas.

From

Ultimately, the sort of work carried out by 'private bobbies' is a tiny fraction of the real police work carried out across the country.

From

The Yurok reservation was established by the federal government in 1855, confining the tribe to an area that covered only a tiny fraction of their ancestral territory.

From

That business trickled to a fraction of its former volume this week.

From

There are arguments pro and con, but some fraction of the neurodivergent community is happy to claim them as their own.

From

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When To Use

What does fraction mean?

A fraction is any part separated or distinct from its whole, as in After the party, just a fraction of the large cake was left.A fraction can also be a very small part of a whole, as in We only understand a fraction of how the human mind works.In mathematics, fraction is a number that is expressed as a proportion, as 1/2 or 2/3. The number on the bottom represents the total number of parts of one unit, while the number on the top is the portion of the unit being considered. For example, in 1/2 the 2 represents two halves of one whole and the 1 represents the amount of parts being observed, in this case one.To fraction means to divide into sections or fractions, as in Politics often fractions people into self-interested groups.Example: That announcement is only a fraction of what’s in store tonight.

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