Fraction
Fraction , noun
[French fraction, Latin fractio a breaking, from frangere, fractum, to break. See Break.]
1.
The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence. [Obsolete]
Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to any fraction or breaking up.
2.
A portion; a fragment.
Some niggard fractions of an hour.
3.
(Arithmetic or Algebra) One or more aliquot parts of a unit or whole number; an expression for a definite portion of a unit or magnitude.
Collocations (6)
Common fraction or Vulgar fraction , a fraction in which the number of equal parts into which the integer is supposed to be divided is indicated by figures or letters, called the denominator, written below a line, over which is the numerator, indicating the number of these parts included in the fraction; as ½, one half, ⅖, two fifths.
Complex fraction , a fraction having a fraction or mixed number in the numerator or denominator, or in both. — Davies & Peck
Compound fraction , a fraction of a fraction; two or more fractions connected by of.
Continued fraction or Decimal fraction or Partial fraction , See under Continued, Decimal, Partial, etc.
Improper fraction , a fraction in which the numerator is greater than the denominator.
Proper fraction , a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator.
Fraction , transitive verb
(Chemistry) To separate by means of, or to subject to, fractional distillation or crystallization; to fractionate; -- frequently used with out; as, to fraction out a certain grade of oil from pretroleum.