[frac.ture] n [ME, fr. L fractura, fr. fractus] (15c) 1: the result of fracturing: break
2. a: the act or process of breaking or the state of being broken; esp: the breaking of hard tissue (as bone) b: the rupture (as by tearing) of soft tissue "kidney ~"
3: the general appearance of a freshly broken surface of a mineral
[2]fracture vb frac.tured ; frac.tur.ing vt (1612) 1 a: to cause a fracture in: break "~ a rib" b: rupture, tear
2. a: to damage or destroy as if by rupturing b: to cause great disorder in c: to break up: fractionate d: to go beyond the limits of (as rules): violate "fractured the English language with malaprops --Goodman Ace" ~ vi: to undergo fracture