Main Entry: frac·tion

Pronunciation: \ˈfrak-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English fraccioun, from Late Latin fraction-, fractio act of breaking, from Latin frangere to break — more at break

Date: 14th century

1 a : a numerical representation (as ³⁄₄, ⁵⁄₈, or 3.234) indicating the quotient of two numbers b (1) : a piece broken off : fragment (2) : a discrete unit : portion
2 : one of several portions (as of a distillate) separable by fractionation
3 : bit, little <a fraction closer>