The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Fraction \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.]
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Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to
any fraction or breaking up. --Foxe.
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2. A portion; a fragment.
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Some niggard fractions of an hour. --Tennyson.
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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.
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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.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Vulgar \Vul"gar\, a. [L. vulgaris, from vulgus the multitude,
the common people; of uncertain origin: cf. F. vulgaire. Cf.
Divulge.]
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1. Of or pertaining to the mass, or multitude, of people;
common; general; ordinary; public; hence, in general use;
vernacular. "As common as any the most vulgar thing to
sense. " -- Shak.
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Things vulgar, and well-weighed, scarce worth the
praise. --Milton.
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It might be more useful to the English reader . . .
to write in our vulgar language. --Bp. Fell.
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The mechanical process of multiplying books had
brought the New Testament in the vulgar tongue
within the reach of every class. --Bancroft.
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2. Belonging or relating to the common people, as
distinguished from the cultivated or educated; pertaining
to common life; plebeian; not select or distinguished;
hence, sometimes, of little or no value. "Like the vulgar
sort of market men." --Shak.
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Men who have passed all their time in low and vulgar
life. --Addison.
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In reading an account of a battle, we follow the
hero with our whole attention, but seldom reflect on
the
vulgar heaps of slaughter. --Rambler.
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3. Hence, lacking cultivation or refinement; rustic; boorish;
also, offensive to good taste or refined feelings; low;
coarse; mean; base; as, vulgar men, minds, language, or
manners.
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Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. --Shak.
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Vulgar fraction. (Arith.) See under Fraction.
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