fraction

fraction
/frak"sheuhn/, n.
1. Math.
a. a number usually expressed in the form a/b.
b. a ratio of algebraic quantities similarly expressed.
2. Chem. (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. Eccles. (in a Eucharistic service) the breaking of the Host.
v.t., v.i.
9. to divide or break into fractions, sections, factions, etc.: Dissension threatens to fraction the powerful union.
[1350-1400; ME fraccioun < LL fraction- (s. of fractio) a breaking (in pieces), equiv. to L fract(us) (ptp. of frangere to BREAK) + -ion- -ION]
Syn. 3, 6. See part.

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In arithmetic, a number expressed as a quotient, in which a numerator is divided by a denominator.

In a simple fraction, both are integers. A complex fraction has a fraction in the numerator or denominator. In a proper fraction, the numerator is less than the denominator. If the numerator is greater, it is called an improper fraction and can also be written as a mixed number
a whole-number quotient with a proper-fraction remainder. Any fraction can be written in decimal form by carrying out the division of the numerator by the denominator. The result may end at some point, or one or more digits may repeat without end.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • fraction — [ fraksjɔ̃ ] n. f. • 1187; « rupture » v. 1400; bas lat. fractio, de frangere « briser » I ♦ Liturg. La fraction du pain : action de rompre le pain eucharistique avant de communier. II ♦ 1 ♦ (1538) Math. Nombre rationnel, élément de l ensemble Q …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Fraction — Frac tion, n. [F. fraction, L. fractio a breaking, fr. frangere, fractum, to break. See {Break}.] 1. The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fraction — Fraction. subst. fem. Action par laquelle on rompt. En ce sens il n a d usage qu en certaines phrases consacrées. Les Pelerins d Emaüs connurent nostre Seigneur à la fraction du pain. le corps de Jesus Christ n est point rompu par la fraction de… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • fraction — frac‧tion [ˈfrækʆn] noun [countable] a very small amount of something: • Generic versions of the drug sell for a fraction of the branded price. * * * fraction UK US /ˈfrækʃən/ noun [C, usually singular] ► a small part or amount of something:… …   Financial and business terms

  • fraction — in general use means ‘a very small part’: • Teaching loads at white schools often are only a fraction the size of those at black schools Saturday Review, AmE 1971. This use is idiomatic despite the pedantic objection occasionally heard that a… …   Modern English usage

  • Fraction — Frac tion, v. t. (Chem.) 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. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fraction — [n1] part bite, chunk, cut, division, end, fragment, half, piece, portion, section, share, slice; concept 835 Ant. entirety, total, whole fraction [n2] incomplete number bit, division, fragment, part, partial, piece, portion, quotient, ratio,… …   New thesaurus

  • Fraction — (v. lat.), 1) Bruch; 2) das Brechen; 3) in den parlamentarischen Parteien die kleineren Unterabtheilungen od. Gruppen, welche in einzelnen Principienfragen von der Hauptpartei abweichen …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Fraction — Fraction, lat. fractio, Brechung, Bruch; Partei. Fractur, Knochenbruch; in der Buchdruckerei die eckige deutsche Schrift; in der Kalligraphie die Kanzleischrift, die nachgeahmte deutsche Druckschrift …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • fraction — index constituent (part), element, installment, member (constituent part), modicum, moiety, part …   Law dictionary

  • fraction — late 14c., originally in the mathematical sense, from Anglo Fr. fraccioun (O.Fr. fraccion, 12c., breaking ) and directly from L.L. fractionem (nom. fractio) a breaking, especially into pieces, noun of action from pp. stem of L. frangere to break …   Etymology dictionary

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