fragment

Originates from Middle English 'fragment', from Latin 'fragmentum', meaning 'a piece broken off'.

NOUN (1)
[/ˈfræɡ.mənt/en-US]
piece common / bit informal / shard literary / section common / sliver informal
Synonyms piece common , bit informal , shard literary
Antonyms whole , complete

A fragment refers to a small part or piece broken off from a larger whole. It is often used to describe something that is incomplete or not fully formed.

plural
fragments
  • She found a fragment of glass on the beach. — 彼女はビーチでガラスの破片を見つけました。
  • The ancient manuscript was discovered in fragments scattered across the site. — 古代の原稿は遺跡のあちこちに散らばった断片として発見されました。
  • Each rock is a fragment of the mountain's history. — 各岩は山の歴史の断片です。
register: formal
VERB (1)
[/ˈfræɡ.mɛnt/en-US]
divide common / split informal / detach formal / separate common / break up informal
Synonyms divide common , split informal , detach formal
Antonyms unite , combine

To fragment means to break or divide something into smaller parts or pieces. This term can be used both literally and metaphorically.

Regular verb
gerund past
fragmenting fragmented
  • The committee decided to fragment the project into smaller tasks. — 委員会はプロジェクトを小さなタスクに分割することに決めました。
  • The artwork was intentionally fragmented to create a sense of chaos. — そのアートワークは意図的に断片化され、混沌の感覚を生み出しました。
  • As relationships evolve, they may fragment due to misunderstandings. — 関係が進化するにつれて、誤解により断片化されることがあります。
register: formal