Chapter 627

Common, &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 <frac12/, one half, <frac25/, 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.

Fraction <Xpage=591>

Frac"tion , v. t. (Chem.) To separate by means of, or to subject to, fractional distillation or crystallization; to fractionate; -- frequently used with out ; as, to fraction out a certain grade of oil from pretroleum .

Fractional <Xpage=591>

Frac"tion*al (?) , a. 1. Of or pertaining to fractions or a fraction; constituting a fraction; as, fractional numbers .

2. Relatively small; inconsiderable; insignificant; as, a fractional part of the population .

Fractional crystallization (Chem.) , a process of gradual and approximate purification and separation, by means of repeated solution and crystallization therefrom. -- Fractional currency , small coin, or paper notes, in circulation, of less value than the monetary unit. -- Fractional distillation (Chem.) , a process of distillation so conducted that a mixture of liquids, differing considerably from each other in their boiling points, can be separated into its constituents.

Fractionally <Xpage=591>

Frac"tion*al*ly , adv. By fractions or separate portions; as, to distill a liquid fractionally , that is, so as to separate different portions .

Fractionary <Xpage=591>

Frac"tion*a*ry (?) , a. Fractional. [Obs.]

Fractionate <Xpage=591>

Frac"tion*ate (?) , v. t. To separate into different portions or fractions, as in the distillation of liquids.

Fractious <Xpage=591>

Frac"tious (?) , a. [Cf. Prov. E. frack forward, eager, E. freak , fridge ; or Prov. E. fratch to squabble, quarrel.] Apt to break out into a passion; apt to scold; cross; snappish; ugly; unruly; as, a fractious man; a fractious horse.

Syn. -- Snappish; peevish; waspish; cross; irritable; perverse; pettish.

-- Frac"tious*ly , v. -- Frac"tious*ness , n.

Fractural <Xpage=591>

Frac"tur*al (?; 135) , a. Pertaining to, or consequent on, a fracture. [R.]

Fracture <Xpage=591>

Frac"ture (?; 135) , n. [L. fractura , fr. frangere , fractum , to break: cf. F. fracture . See Fraction .] 1. The act of breaking or snapping asunder; rupture; breach.

2. (Surg.) The breaking of a bone.

3. (Min.) The texture of a freshly broken surface; as, a compact fracture ; an even, hackly, or conchoidal fracture .

Comminuted fracture (Surg.) , a fracture in which the bone is broken into several parts. -- Complicated fracture (Surg.) , a fracture of the bone combined with the lesion of some artery, nervous trunk, or joint. -- Compound fracture (Surg.) , a fracture in which there is an open wound from the surface down to the fracture. -- Simple fracture (Surg.) , a fracture in which the bone only is ruptured. It does not communicate with the surface by an open wound.

Syn. -- Fracture , Rupture . These words denote different kinds of breaking , according to the objects to which they are applied. Fracture is applied to hard substances; as, the fracture of a bone. Rupture is oftener applied to soft substances; as, the rupture of a blood vessel. It is also used figuratively. "To be an enemy and once to have been a friend, does it not embitter the rupture ?"

South.

<page="592"> Page 592

Fracture <Xpage=592>

Frac"ture (?; 135) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Fractured (#; 135) ; p. pr. & vb. n. . Fracturing .] [Cf. F. fracturer .] To cause a fracture or fractures in; to break; to burst asunder; to crack; to separate the continuous parts of; as, to fracture a bone; to fracture the skull.

Fr\'91nulum <Xpage=592>

Fr\'91n"u*lum (?) , n. ; pl. Fr\'91nula (#) . [NL., dim. of L. fraenum a bridle.] (Anat.) A fr\'91num.

Fr\'91num, &or; Frenum <Xpage=592>

Fr\'91"num (?) , &or; Fre"num , n. ; pl. E. Fr\'91nums (#) , L. Fr\'91na (#) . [L., a bridle.] (Anat.) A connecting fold of membrane serving to support or restrain any part; as, the fr\'91num of the tongue .

Fragile <Xpage=592>

Frag"ile (?) , a. [L. fragilis , from frangere to break; cf. F. fragile . See Break , v. t. , and cf. Frail , a. ] Easily broken; brittle; frail; delicate; easily destroyed.

The state of ivy is tough, and not fragile . Bacon.

Syn. -- Brittle; infirm; weak; frail; frangible; slight.

-- Frag"ile*ly , adv.

Fragility <Xpage=592>

Fra*gil"i*ty (?) , n. [L. fragilitas : cf. F. fragilit\'82 . Cf. Frailty .] 1. The condition or quality of being fragile; brittleness; frangibility.

Bacon.

2. Weakness; feebleness.

An appearance of delicacy, and even of fragility , is almost essential to it [beauty]. Burke.

3. Liability to error and sin; frailty. [Obs.]

The fragility and youthful folly of Qu. Fabius. Holland.

Fragment <Xpage=592>

Frag"ment (?) , n. [L. fragmentum , fr. frangere to break: cf. F. fragment . See Break , v. t. ] A part broken off; a small, detached portion; an imperfect part; as, a fragment of an ancient writing .

Gather up the fragments that remain. John vi. 12.

Fragmentak <Xpage=592>

Frag*men"tak (?) , a. 1. Fragmentary.

2. (Geol.) Consisting of the pulverized or fragmentary material of rock, as conglomerate, shale, etc.

Fragmental <Xpage=592>

Frag*men"tal , n. (Geol.) A fragmentary rock.

Fragmentarily <Xpage=592>

Frag"men*ta*ri*ly (?) , adv. In a fragmentary manner; piecemeal.

Fragmentariness <Xpage=592>

Frag"men*ta*ri*ness , n. The quality or property of being in fragnebts, or broken pieces, incompleteness; want of continuity.

G. Eliot.

Fragmentary <Xpage=592>

Frag"men*ta*ry (?) , a. [Cf. F. fragmentaire .] 1. Composed of fragments, or broken pieces; disconnected; not complete or entire.

Donne.

2. (Geol.) Composed of the fragments of other rocks.

Fragmented <Xpage=592>

Frag"ment*ed (?) , a. Broken into fragments.

Fragmentist <Xpage=592>

Frag"ment*ist , n. A writer of fragments; as, the fragmentist of Wolfenb\'81ttel . [R.]

Fragor <Xpage=592>

Fra"gor (<?/) , n. [L., a breaking to pieces, fr. frangere to break.] 1. A loud and sudden sound; the report of anything bursting; a crash.

I. Watts.

2. [Due to confusion with fragrant .] A strong or sweet scent. [Obs. & Illegitimate.]

Sir T. Herbert.

Fragrance, Fragrancy <Xpage=592>

Fra"grance (?) , Fra"gran*cy (?) , n. [L. fragrantia : cf. OF. fragrance .] The quality of being fragrant; sweetness of smell; a sweet smell; a pleasing odor; perfume.

Eve separate he spies, Veiled in a cloud of fragrance . Milton.

The goblet crowned, Breathed aromatic fragrancies around. Pope.

Fragrant <Xpage=592>

Fra"grant (?) , a. [<???/L. fragrans . - antis , p.pr. of fragrare to emit a smell of fragrance: cf. OF. fragrant . Affecting the olfactory nerves agreeably; sweet of smell; odorous; having or emitting an agreeable perfume.

Fragrant the fertile earth After soft showers. Milton.

Syn. -- Sweet-smelling; odorous; odoriferous; swetacented; redolent; ambrosial; balmy; spicy; aromatic. -- Fra"grant*ly , adv.

Fraight <Xpage=592>

Fraight (?) , a. Same as Fraught . [Obs.]

Spenser.

Frail <Xpage=592>

Frail (?) , n. [OE. fraiel , fraile , OF. fraiel , freel , frael , fr. LL. fraellum .] A basket made of rushes, used chiefly for containing figs and raisins.

2. The quantity of raisins -- about thirty-two, fifty-six, or seventy-five pounds, -- contained in a frail.

3. A rush for weaving baskets.

Johnson.

Frail <Xpage=592>

Frail , a. [ Compar. Frailer (?) ; superl . Frailest .] [OE. frele , freile , OF. fraile , frele , F. fr\'88le , fr. L. fragilis . See Fragile .] 1. Easily broken; fragile; not firm or durable; liable to fail and perish; easily destroyed; not tenacious of life; weak; infirm.

That I may know how frail I am. Ps. xxxix. 4.

An old bent man, worn and frail . Lowell.

2. Tender. [Obs.]

Deep indignation and compassion. Spenser.

3. Liable to fall from virtue or be led into sin; not strong against temptation; weak in resolution; also, unchaste; -- often applied to fallen women.

Man is frail , and prone to evil. Jer. Taylor.

Frailly <Xpage=592>

Frail"ly , adv. Weakly; infirmly.

Frailness <Xpage=592>

Frail"ness , n. Frailty.

Frailty <Xpage=592>

Frail"ty (?) , n. ; pl. Frailties (#) . [OE. frelete , freilte , OF. frailet\'82 , fr. L. fragilitas . See Frail , a. , and cf. Fragility .] 1. The condition quality of being frail, physically, mentally, or morally, frailness; infirmity; weakness of resolution; liableness to be deceived or seduced.

God knows our frailty , [and] pities our weakness. Locke.

2. A fault proceeding from weakness; foible; sin of infirmity.

Syn. -- Frailness; fragility; imperfection; failing.

Fraischeur <Xpage=592>

Frai"scheur (?) , n. [OF.; F fraicheur , fr. frais , fem. fra<?/che , fresh; of German origin. See Frash , a. ] Freshness; coolness. [R.]

Dryden.

Fraise <Xpage=592>

Fraise (?) , n. [See Froise .] A large and thick pancake, with slices of bacon in it. [Obs.]

Johnson.

Fraise <Xpage=592>

Fraise (?) , n. [F. fraise , orig., a ruff, cf. F. frise frieze, E. frieze a coarse stuff.] 1. (Fort.) A defense consisting of pointed stakes driven into the ramparts in a horizontal or inclined position.

2. (Mech.) A fluted reamer for enlarging holes in stone; a small milling cutter.

Fraise <Xpage=592>

Fraise , v. t. (Mil.) To protect, as a line of troops, against an onset of cavalry, by opposing bayonets raised obliquely forward.

Wilhelm.

Fraised <Xpage=592>

Fraised (?) , a. Fortified with a fraise.

Fraken <Xpage=592>

Frak"en (?) , n. A freckle. [Obs.]

A few fraknes in his face. Chaucer.

Framable <Xpage=592>

Fram"a*ble (?) , a. Capable of being framed.

Framb\'91sia <Xpage=592>

Fram*b\'91"si*a (?) , n. [F. & NL., fr. F. framboise raspberry.] (Med.) The yaws. See Yaws .

Frame <Xpage=592>

Frame (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Framed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Framing .] [OE. framen , fremen , to execute, build, AS. fremman to further, perform, effect, fr. fram strong, valiant; akin to E. foremost , and prob. to AS. fram from, Icel. fremja , frama , to further, framr forward, G. fromm worthy, excellent, pious. See Foremost , From , and cf. Furnish .] 1. (Arch. & Engin.) To construct by fitting and uniting the several parts of the skeleton of any structure; specifically, in woodwork, to put together by cutting parts of one member to fit parts of another. See Dovetail , Halve , v. t. , Miter , Tenon , Tooth , Tusk , Scarf , and Splice .

2. To originate; to plan; to devise; to contrive; to compose; in a bad sense, to invent or fabricate, as something false.

How many excellent reasonings are framed in the mind of a man of wisdom and study in a length of years. I. Watts.

3. To fit to something else, or for some specific end; to adjust; to regulate; to shape; to conform.

And frame my face to all occasions. Shak.

We may in some measure frame our minds for the reception of happiness. Landor.

The human mind is framed to be influenced. I. Taylor.

4. To cause; to bring about; to produce. [Obs.]

Fear frames disorder, and disorder wounds. Shak.

5. To support. [Obs. & R.]

That on a staff his feeble steps did frame . Spenser.

6. To provide with a frame, as a picture.

Frame <Xpage=592>

Frame , v. i. 1. To shape; to arrange, as the organs of speech. [Obs.]

Judg. xii. 6.

2. To proceed; to go. [Obs.]

The bauty of this sinful dame Made many princes thither frame . Shak.

Frame <Xpage=592>

Frame , n. 1. Anything composed of parts fitted and united together; a fabric; a structure; esp., the constructional system, whether of timber or metal, that gives to a building, vessel, etc., its model and strength; the skeleton of a structure.

These are thy glorius works, Parent of good, Almighty! thine this universal frame . Milton.

2. The bodily structure; physical constitution; make or build of a person.

Some bloody passion shakes your very frame . Shak.

No frames could be strong enough to endure it. Prescott.

3. A kind of open case or structure made for admitting, inclosing, or supporting things, as that which incloses or contains a window, door, picture, etc.; that on which anything is held or stretched ; as: (a) The skeleton structure which supports the boiler and machinery of a locomotive upon its wheels . (b) (Founding) A molding box or flask, which being filled with sand serves as a mold for castings . (c) The ribs and stretchers of an umbrella or other structure with a fabric covering . (d) A structure of four bars, adjustable in size, on which cloth, etc., is stretched for quilting, embroidery, etc. (e) (Hort.) A glazed portable structure for protecting young plants from frost . (f) (Print.) A stand to support the type cases for use by the compositor.

4. (Mach.) A term applied, especially in England, to certain machines built upon or within framework; as, a stocking frame ; lace frame ; spinning frame , etc.

5. Form; shape; proportion; scheme; structure; constitution; system; as, a frame of government .

She that hath a heart of that fine frame To pay this debt of love but to a brother. Shak.

Put your discourse into some frame . Shak.

6. Particular state or disposition, as of the mind; humor; temper; mood; as, to be always in a happy frame .

7. Contrivance; the act of devising or scheming. [Obs.]

John the bastard Whose spirits toil in frame of villainies. Shak.

Balloon frame , Cant frames , etc. See under Balloon , Cant , etc. -- Frame building &or; house , a building of which the form and support is made of framed timbers. [U.S.] -- Frame level , a mason's level. -- Frame saw , a thin saw stretched in a frame to give it rigidity.

Framer <Xpage=592>

Fram"er (?) , n. One who frames; as, the framer of a building; the framers of the Constitution.

Framework <Xpage=592>

Frame"work` (?) , n. 1. The work of framing, or the completed work; the frame or constructional part of anything; as, the framework of society .

A staunch and solid piece of framework . Milton.

2. Work done in, or by means of, a frame or loom.

Framing <Xpage=592>

Fram"ing , n. 1. The act, process, or style of putting together a frame, or of constructing anything; a frame; that which frames.

2. (Arch. & Engin.) A framework, or a sy<?/ of frames.

Framing chisel (Carp.) , a heavy chisel with a socket shank for making mortises.

Frampel, Frampoid <Xpage=592>

Fram"pel (?) , Fram"poid (?) , a. [Also written frampul , frampled , framfold .] [Cf. W. fframfol passionate, ffrom angry, fretting; or perh. akin to E. frump .] Peevish; cross; vexatious; quarrelsome. [Obs.]

Shak.

Is Pompey grown so malapert, so frampel ? Beau. & Fl.

Franc <Xpage=592>

Franc (?) , n. [F., fr. franc a Franc. See Frank , a. ] A silver coin of France, and since 1795 the unit of the French monetary system. It has been adopted by Belgium and Swizerland. It is equivalent to about nineteen cents, or ten pence, and is divided into 100 centimes.

Franchise <Xpage=592>

Fran"chise (? &or; ?; 277) , n. [F., fr. franc , fem. franche , free. See Frank , a. ] 1. Exemption from constraint or oppression; freedom; liberty. [Obs.]

Spenser.

2. (LAw) A particular privilege conferred by grant from a sovereign or a government, and vested in individuals; an imunity or exemption from ordinary jurisdiction; a constitutional or statutory right or privilege, esp. the right to vote.

Election by universal suffrage, as modified by the Constitution, is the one crowning franchise of the American people. W. H. Seward.

3. The district or jurisdiction to which a particular privilege extends; the limits of an immunity; hence, an asylum or sanctuary.

Churches and mobasteries in Spain are franchises for criminals. London Encyc.

4. Magnanimity; generosity; liberality; frankness; nobility. " Franchise in woman." [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Elective franchise , the privilege or right of voting in an election of public officers.

Franchise <Xpage=592>