fraction

frac·tion

noun \ˈfrak-shən\

Definition of FRACTION

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>

Examples of FRACTION

1. a fraction of an inch
2. <if even a tiny fraction of that cookie broke off and fell into the delicate watch works, it could mess things up>

Origin of FRACTION

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FRACTION

Synonyms: bit, fragment, piece, scrap

Related Words: cantle, shred, tatter; end, leftover, oddment, remainder, remnant, stub; portion, section, segment; chip, flake, shard, shatter, shiver, sliver, splinter; clipping, paring, shaving; atom, crumb, dribble, fleck, flyspeck, grain, granule, molecule, morsel, mote, nubbin, nugget, particle, patch, scruple, snip, snippet, speck, tittle

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Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with FRACTION

action, faction, taction, traction