IPA: /ˈfræɡ.mənt/
KK: /ˈfræɡmənt/
To break into smaller pieces or parts.
After the election, the coalition fragmented.
Past: fragmented
Past Participle: fragmented
A small piece that has broken off from something larger or is not complete.
She found a fragment of pottery while digging in the garden.
To break or separate something into small parts or pieces.
The artist decided to fragment the sculpture into several smaller pieces for the exhibition.
Past: fragmented
Past Participle: fragmented
Fragment → It is formed from "frangere" (meaning to break) and the suffix "-ment" (indicating the result of an action). The word "fragment" refers to a piece that has been broken off from a whole.
Think of something that has been 'broken' ('frangere') into pieces — that's why a fragment is a broken piece.