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fraction definition

frac·tion (fraks̸hən)

noun

  1. a breaking or dividing, specif., of the Host in the Mass
    1. a small part broken off; fragment; scrap
    2. a small part, amount, degree, etc.; portion
  2. Chem. a part separated by fractional crystallization, distillation, etc.
  3. Math.
    1. an indicated quotient of two whole numbers, as ,
    2. any quantity expressed in terms of a numerator and denominator, as x/y

Etymology: ME < L fractio, a breaking < pp. of frangere, break

transitive verb

to separate into fractions

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