fractional

From fraction +‎ -al.

• enPR: frăkʹshənəl, IPA^(key): /ˈfɹæk.ʃən.əl/

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fractional (comparative more fractional, superlative most fractional)

1. Pertaining to a fraction.
2. Divided; fragmentary; incomplete.
3. Very small; minute.
   • 1987, Bill Knox, A Flight from Paris, page 93:

     The two women exchanged a glance, then a fractional nod of agreement.

4. (chemistry) Relating to a process or product of fractional distillation.

• (fragmentary): partial, partite, demi-, semi-

fractional (plural fractionals)

1. (grammar) An expression of a fractional number.

   In English, most ordinals double as fractionals — "third", "fourth", and so on — with the exception of "second", whose corresponding fractional is "half".

2. Partial ownership of a property, such as real estate or a chartered airplane, such that each partial owner has use of the property for only a portion of the time.

   A fractional is much more expensive than a traditional timeshare, but to many people, it's worth it.

3. (chemistry) Relating to a fraction in a material distillation or separation process.

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