fragment

noun

/ˈfræɡmənt/

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a small part of something that has broken off or comes from something larger
- fragment (of something) Police found fragments of glass near the scene.
- in fragments The shattered vase lay in fragments on the floor.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
Fragment is used after these nouns:
rock
shell
See full entry
fragment (of something) a single part of something; a part that is not complete
- I overheard a fragment of their conversation.
- She could recall only fragments of his poetry.

Word Originlate Middle English: from French, or from Latin fragmentum, from frangere ‘to break’.

verb

/fræɡˈment/

/ˈfræɡment/

[intransitive, transitive]

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they fragment	/fræɡˈment/ /ˈfræɡment/
he / she / it fragments	/fræɡˈments/ /ˈfræɡments/
past simple fragmented	/fræɡˈmentɪd/ /ˈfræɡmentɪd/
past participle fragmented	/fræɡˈmentɪd/ /ˈfræɡmentɪd/
-ing form fragmenting	/fræɡˈmentɪŋ/ /ˈfræɡmentɪŋ/

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fragment (something) to break or make something break into small pieces or parts
- Frequent explosions caused the chalk to fragment.
- The dangers of fragmenting the health service.
Word Originlate Middle English: from French, or from Latin fragmentum, from frangere ‘to break’.