fraction


Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
fraction /ˈfrakʃ(ə)n/
noun
  • 1 a numerical quantity that is not a whole number (e.g. 1/2, 0.5).
  • 2 a small or tiny part, amount, or proportion.

    ■ a dissenting group within a larger one.

  • 3 Chemistry each of the portions into which a mixture may be separated according to a physical property such as boiling point or solubility.
  • 4 (usu. the Fraction) (in the Christian Church) the breaking of the Eucharistic bread.
– origin ME: via OFr. from eccles. L. fractio(n-) ‘breaking (bread)’, from L. frangere ‘to break’.
'fraction' also found in these Oxford entries:

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