I. ˈfragmənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin fragmentum, from frag- (stem of frangere to break) + -mentum -ment — more at break
1. : a part broken off : a small detached portion : an imperfect or incomplete part
pieces of pottery and fragments that can be reconstructed — American Guide Series: New Jersey
enchanting fragments of Irish life — John McNulty
only fragments remain of the covered-wagon ballads — American Guide Series: Oregon
2. : something that is small and usually insignificant
a fragment of silence — Guy Fowler
Synonyms: see part
II. ˈfragˌment, ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to break into fragments : fragmentize
the vase fell and fragmented into small pieces
this pluralized and fragmenting society — Walter Lippmann
transitive verb
: to break or divide into disorganized or not unified pieces
a foreign policy that is fragmented rather than organized to a focal purpose
an old woman's fragmented memory — Meridel Le Sueur
especially : to destroy by such breaking or dividing up
the remaining hopes of control of weapons have been fragmented by the new bomb — M.W.Straight