\Frac"tion\, 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.]
         Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to
         any fraction or breaking up.          --Foxe.
2. A portion; a fragment.
         Some niggard fractions of an hour.    --Tennyson.
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.
{Common, 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.

\Frac"tion\, 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.