v. t. [ L. fractus, p. p. of frangere to break. ] To break; to violate. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Her.) Having a part displaced, as if broken; -- said of an ordinary. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. fraction, L. fractio a breaking, fr. frangere, fractum, to break. See Break. ] 1. The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to any fraction or breaking up. Foxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A portion; a fragment. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some niggard fractions of an hour. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Arith. or Alg.) One or more aliquot parts of a unit or whole number; an expression for a definite portion of a unit or magnitude. [ 1913 Webster ]

Common fraction, or
Vulgar fraction, a fraction in which the number of equal parts into which the integer is supposed to be divided is indicated by figures or letters, called the denominator, written below a line, over which is the numerator, indicating the number of these parts included in the fraction; as 1/2, one half, 2/5, two fifths. --
Complex fraction, a fraction having a fraction or mixed number in the numerator or denominator, or in both. Davies & Peck. --
Compound fraction, a fraction of a fraction; two or more fractions connected by of. --
Continued fraction,
Decimal fraction,
Partial fraction, etc. See under Continued, Decimal, Partial, etc. --
Improper fraction, a fraction in which the numerator is greater than the denominator. --
Proper fraction, a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. (Chem.) To separate by means of, or to subject to, fractional distillation or crystallization; to fractionate; -- frequently used with out; as, to fraction out a certain grade of oil from pretroleum. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining to fractions or a fraction; constituting a fraction; as, fractional numbers. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Relatively small; inconsiderable; insignificant; as, a fractional part of the population. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fractional crystallization (Chem.), a process of gradual and approximate purification and separation, by means of repeated solution and crystallization therefrom. --
Fractional currency, small coin, or paper notes, in circulation, of less value than the monetary unit. --
Fractional distillation (Chem.), a process of distillation so conducted that a mixture of liquids, differing considerably from each other in their boiling points, can be separated into its constituents. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By fractions or separate portions; as, to distill a liquid fractionally, that is, so as to separate different portions. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Fractional. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To separate (a mixture of chemical substances) into different portions or fractions, as in the distillation of liquids. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the act or process of separating a mixture into portions of different composition, as in distillation or fractional crystallization.
Syn. -- fractional process. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

2. (Petroleum industry) Separation of crude oil into components of differing composition by fractional distillation. [ PJC ]

a. [ Cf. Prov. E. frack forward, eager, E. freak, fridge; or Prov. E. fratch to squabble, quarrel. ] Apt to break out into a passion; apt to scold; cross; snappish; ugly; unruly; as, a fractious man; a fractious horse.

Syn. -- Snappish; peevish; waspish; cross; irritable; perverse; pettish.

-- Frac"tious*ly, v. -- Frac"tious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]