fragmentary

/'frægməntəri/

Thân thiện

The archaeologist carefully arranged the fragmentary pieces of the ancient clay vase on a wooden table.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Consisting of small, disconnected, or incomplete parts: Describes something that is not whole or continuous, but exists in separate pieces or sections. 2. Incomplete or partial: Refers to information, evidence, or objects that are not fully formed, collected, or understood.

Usage

The adjective "fragmentary" is used to describe things that are broken into fragments or are inherently incomplete. It often implies that the parts are insufficient to form a complete or coherent whole on their own. It is commonly applied to physical remains, historical records, memories, or data.

Examples

• The archaeologists discovered only fragmentary remains of the ancient pottery, making reconstruction difficult.
• Our understanding of the event is based on fragmentary eyewitness accounts that sometimes contradict each other.
• The manuscript survived in a fragmentary state, with many pages missing or illegible.
• She had only fragmentary memories of her early childhood.

Advanced Usage

• Fragmentary evidence: Evidence that is incomplete or consists of isolated pieces, which may not be conclusive.
  • The case was hard to solve due to the fragmentary evidence at the scene.
• Fragmentary nature: Used to describe the inherent quality of being composed of fragments.
  • The fragmentary nature of the historical record makes this period difficult to study.

Variants and Related Words

• Fragment (noun): A small part broken or separated off from something.
  • A fragment of glass was found.
• Fragment (verb): To break or cause to break into fragments.
  • The old vase fragmented when it fell.
• Fragmentation (noun): The process or state of breaking or being broken into small or separate parts.
  • The fragmentation of the empire led to decades of war.

Synonyms

• Incomplete
• Partial
• Disconnected
• Scattered
• Piecemeal

Antonyms

• Complete
• Whole
• Comprehensive
• Unbroken
• Continuous

Notes on Meaning

The word emphasizes the state of being in pieces, both literally and figuratively. It often carries a connotation of insufficiency or frustration because the fragments do not provide a full picture or a satisfactory whole. It is distinct from "fragmented," which can describe the state of being in fragments but is also often used to describe a process or a deliberate act of breaking apart.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. consisting of small disconnected parts
   • fragmentary remains

Từ đồng nghĩa

• fragmental