rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryfragmentPieces and breaking apart
noun / verb

fragment

FRAG-munt/ˈfræɡmənt/

A small or incomplete part of something, or to break into such parts.

A small fragment of blue ceramic lies beside the broken pot.

One small broken blue ceramic shard beside a larger broken pot, shard emphasized.
Etymology
fragLatinto break
+mentLatinresult or product

A fragment is literally a piece broken off: the result of breaking rather than the act itself. This also fits an incomplete surviving part of something.

In context

SOAS University of London38:50
we have a fragment of a broken dharma chakra
Old Mon inscriptions and the Dvāravatī culture | SOAS University of London

More examples

  • The shell fragmented.
  • Several fragments remained.
  • The material is fragmenting.

Forms

fragment · fragments · fragmented · fragmenting

fragmentary adjective — incomplete or made of separate pieces

Similar words

piece
Any part, not necessarily broken or incomplete.
shard
A sharp fragment of a brittle material.