Part 325

2. Relatively small; inconsiderable; insignificant; as, a fractional part of the population.

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.

Frac"tion*al*ly, adv. By fractions or separate portions; as, to distill a liquid fractionally, that is, so as to separate different portions.

Frac"tion*a*ry (?), a. Fractional. [Obs.]

Frac"tion*ate (?), v. t. To separate into different portions or fractions, as in the distillation of liquids.

Frac"tious (?), 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.

Frac"tur*al (?; 135), a. Pertaining to, or consequent on, a fracture. [R.]

Frac"ture (?; 135), n. [L. fractura, fr. frangere, fractum, to break: cf. F. fracture. See Fraction.] 1. The act of breaking or snapping asunder; rupture; breach.

2. (Surg.) The breaking of a bone.

3. (Min.) The texture of a freshly broken surface; as, a compact fracture; an even, hackly, or conchoidal fracture.

Comminuted fracture (Surg.), a fracture in which the bone is broken into several parts. -- Complicated fracture (Surg.), a fracture of the bone combined with the lesion of some artery, nervous trunk, or joint. -- Compound fracture (Surg.), a fracture in which there is an open wound from the surface down to the fracture. -- Simple fracture (Surg.), a fracture in which the bone only is ruptured. It does not communicate with the surface by an open wound.

Syn. -- Fracture, Rupture. These words denote different kinds of breaking, according to the objects to which they are applied. Fracture is applied to hard substances; as, the fracture of a bone. Rupture is oftener applied to soft substances; as, the rupture of a blood vessel. It is also used figuratively. "To be an enemy and once to have been a friend, does it not embitter the rupture?" South.

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Frac"ture (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fractured (#; 135); p. pr. & vb. n.. Fracturing.] [Cf. F. fracturer.] To cause a fracture or fractures in; to break; to burst asunder; to crack; to separate the continuous parts of; as, to fracture a bone; to fracture the skull.

||FrÊn"u*lum (?), n.; pl. FrÊnula (#). [NL., dim. of L. fraenum a ||bridle.] (Anat.) A frÊnum.

{ FrÊ"num (?), or Fre"num }, n.; pl. E. FrÊnums (#), L. FrÊna (#). [L., a bridle.] (Anat.) A connecting fold of membrane serving to support or restrain any part; as, the frÊnum of the tongue.

Frag"ile (?), a. [L. fragilis, from frangere to break; cf. F. fragile. See Break, v. t., and cf. Frail, a.] Easily broken; brittle; frail; delicate; easily destroyed.

The state of ivy is tough, and not fragile.

Bacon.

Syn. -- Brittle; infirm; weak; frail; frangible; slight.

-- Frag"ile*ly, adv.

Fra*gil"i*ty (?), n. [L. fragilitas: cf. F. fragilitÈ. Cf. Frailty.] 1. The condition or quality of being fragile; brittleness; frangibility. Bacon.

2. Weakness; feebleness.

An appearance of delicacy, and even of fragility, is almost essential to it [beauty].

Burke.

3. Liability to error and sin; frailty. [Obs.]