fraction — English Dictionary

Noun

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

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   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. 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).

   Examples

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

3. A component of a mixture, separated by fractionation.

4. In a eucharistic service, the breaking of the host.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   […] 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.

5. A small amount.

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   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.

   After kick-off was delayed because of crowd congestion, Torquay went closest to scoring in a cagey opening 30 minutes, when Danny Stevens saw a fierce shot from the edge of the area swerve a fraction wide.

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

   Usage

   • Archaic

   Examples

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

Verb

1. To divide or break into fractions.

   Usage

   • Transitive

2. To fractionate.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Noun

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

   Broader terms

   chemicalchemical substance

2. a small part or item forming a piece of a whole

   Broader terms

   partportion

3. the quotient of two rational numbers

   Broader terms

   rational numberrational

Verb

1. perform a division

   Synonyms

   divide

   Broader terms

   calculateciphercyphercomputework outreckonfigure

   Examples

   Can you divide 49 by seven?