1. mathematics number that is not whole number: a number that is not a whole number, e.g. 1/2 simple fraction or 0.5 decimal fraction, formed by dividing one quantity into another
2. small amount: a small part, amount, or proportion of something a fraction of the cost
3. part: a part or element of a larger whole or group spent a sizable fraction of his time working on this project
4. christianity breaking of bread by priest: during Communion in the Roman Catholic tradition, the breaking off of a piece of bread by the priest who places it in the chalice
5. chemistry separated component: an individual component or portion of a mixture, separated by differences in chemical or physical properties
[14th century. Via Old French< late Latin fraction-< Latin fract-, past participle of frangere "break"]
a fraction by a very small amount or distance Move it just a fraction to the right.
Word History
The Latin word frangere "to break," from which fraction is derived, and forms related to it, are also sources of English fracture, fragile, fragment, frail, and saxifrage.
