fraction

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A part of a whole, especially a comparatively small part.

   With fresh material, taxonomic conclusions are leavened by recognition that the material examined reflects the site it occupied; a herbarium packet gives one only a small fraction of the data desirable for sound conclusions. Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get[…]

2. 2
   noun

   A ratio of two numbers (numerator and denominator), usually written one above the other and separated by a horizontal bar called the vinculum or, alternatively, in sequence on the same line and separated by a solidus (diagonal bar).

   Gasoline prices show the mill as a fraction, for example $3.59+⁹⁄₁₀.

3. 3
   noun

   In a eucharistic service, the breaking of the host.

   […] The bread, when it is consecrated and made sacramental, is the body of our Lord; and the fraction and distribution of it is the communication of that body, which died for us upon the cross.

4. 4
   noun

   A small amount.

   I had occasion […] to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return […] I found Farrar awaiting me in the railway station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, […], and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town.

5. 5
   noun

   The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence.

   Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to any fraction or breaking.

6. 6
   noun

   a small part or item forming a piece of a whole

7. 7
   noun

   the quotient of two rational numbers

8. 8
   noun

   a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process

Etymology

Etymology tree Middle English fraccioun English fraction From Middle English fraccioun (“a breaking”), from Anglo-Norman, Old French fraccion, from Medieval Latin fractio (“a fragment, portion”), from earlier Latin fractio (“a breaking, a breaking into pieces”), from fractus, past participle of frangere (“to break”) (whence English frangible), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg- (English break). Doublet of frazione.