Definitions for: Fraction


[n] a small part or item forming a piece of a whole
[n] the quotient of two rational numbers
[n] a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process
[v] perform a division; "Can you divide 49 by seven?"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.]

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

2. A portion; a fragment.

Some niggard fractions of an hour. --Tennyson.

3. (Arith. or Alg.) One or more aliquot parts of a unit or
whole number; an expression for a definite portion of a
unit or magnitude.

Common, or Vulgar, fraction, a fraction in which the
number of equal parts into which the integer is supposed
to be divided is indicated by figures or letters, called
the denominator, written below a line, over which is the
numerator, indicating the number of these parts included
in the fraction; as 1/2, one half, 2/5, two fifths.

Complex fraction, a fraction having a fraction or mixed
number in the numerator or denominator, or in both.
--Davies & Peck.

Compound fraction, a fraction of a fraction; two or more
fractions connected by of.

Continued fraction, Decimal fraction, Partial fraction,
etc. See under Continued, Decimal, Partial, etc.

Improper fraction, a fraction in which the numerator is
greater than the denominator.

Proper fraction, a fraction in which the numerator is less
than the denominator.


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.

Synonyms: divide

Antonyms: multiply

See Also: calculate, chemical, cipher, common fraction, complex fraction, compound fraction, compute, continued fraction, cypher, figure, fixed-point part, halve, improper fraction, mantissa, part, portion, proper fraction, quarter, rational number, reckon, simple fraction, work out

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