fraction — a numerical quantity that is not a whole number
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a numerical quantity that is not a whole number
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfrækʃən/
Example Sentences
- My patience lasted only a fraction of a second when I saw the WiFi was down again.
- The new smartphone costs a fraction of what flagship models used to cost.
- She understood only a tiny fraction of the advanced physics lecture.
fraction
NOUN[/ˈfrækʃən/]
a numerical quantity that is not a whole number
She ate only a small fraction of the enormous birthday cake.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin fractus, the past participle of frangere meaning 'to break' or 'to shatter'. The modern sense of 'a part of a whole' or 'a numerical division' developed from the conceptual image of breaking something whole into smaller pieces.
Breakdown
frangere (to break) + -tion (noun suffix) = fractus (broken), ultimately forming fraction as 'a broken part' or 'division of a whole'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My patience lasted only a fraction of a second when I saw the WiFi was down again.”
“The new smartphone costs a fraction of what flagship models used to cost.”
“She understood only a tiny fraction of the advanced physics lecture.”
“Converting the improper fraction to a mixed number made the math homework slightly less terrifying.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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