Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small part broken or separated off from something larger: A fragment is a piece of something that has been broken, detached, or is incomplete.
   • An isolated or incomplete part of something non-physical: A fragment can also refer to a portion of something intangible, like a memory, conversation, or work, that is not whole or fully developed.

2. Verb:

   • To break or cause something to break into small, separate parts: To fragment means to disintegrate or shatter into fragments.
   • To divide or separate something into isolated parts: It can also describe the process of something becoming divided or disjointed, often leading to a lack of cohesion.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • She tried to glue the fragments of the vase back together.
  • He could only recall fragments of the dream from the previous night.
  • The archaeologist discovered a fragment of ancient pottery.

• Verb:

  • The old parchment fragmented when he tried to unroll it.
  • Over time, the political coalition began to fragment into smaller factions.
  • The explosion fragmented the rock into thousands of pieces.

Advanced Usage

• "In fragment": existing in broken or incomplete pieces.
  • The ancient text survives only in fragment.
• "To fragment into": to break apart and become specific types of pieces or groups.
  • The discussion fragmented into several unrelated arguments.

Variants and Related Words

• Fragmentation (n): The process or result of breaking into fragments.
  • The fragmentation of the empire led to centuries of conflict.
• Fragmentary (adj): Consisting of small, disconnected, or incomplete parts.
  • Our knowledge of that historical period is fragmentary.
• Fragmental (adj): Another term for fragmentary; composed of fragments.
  • The soil had a fragmental structure.

Synonyms

• Noun: piece, bit, shard, splinter, remnant, portion, segment.
• Verb: break up, shatter, disintegrate, splinter, split, divide.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Fragment" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The verb typically stands alone or is used with prepositions like "into.") - Fragment off: To break off into fragments. (Less common) - Small pieces of ice fragmented off from the main glacier.

Related Idioms

• "A fragment of one's imagination": Something that seems unreal or only partially conceived.
  • The strange sound was just a fragment of his imagination.
• "To pick up the fragments": To try to recover or rebuild something after it has been broken or destroyed.
  • After the bankruptcy, the family tried to pick up the fragments of their lives.

Noun

1. an incomplete piece
   • fragments of a play
2. a broken piece of a brittle artifact
3. a piece broken off or cut off of something else
   • a fragment of rock

Verb

1. break or cause to break into pieces
   • The plate fragmented