n. 1 a numerical quantity that is not a whole number (e.g. «, 0.5). 2 a small, esp. very small, part, piece, or amount. 3 a portion of a mixture separated by distillation etc. 4 Polit. any organized dissentient group, esp. a group of communists in a non-communist organization. 5 the division of the Eucharistic bread. fractionary adj. fractionize v.tr. (also -ise).
[ ME f. OF f. LL fractio -onis f. L frangere fract- break ]