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 : portion2: one of several portions (as of a distillate) separable by fractionation3: bit, little <a fraction closer>