Fragments Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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fragments
[ˈfræɡmənts ]
Definitions
in literature
Small parts broken off or separated from a whole. Fragments are often used to create suspense or add depth to a story by revealing information in pieces.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| fragments |
Used to describe small, broken parts of a whole, often in an abstract or metaphorical sense.
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| pieces |
General term for parts of something larger, can be used in both abstract and literal senses.
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| shards |
Refers to sharp, often dangerous pieces of a brittle object, like glass or pottery, often with a negative connotation due to its sharpness.
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| remnants |
Used to talk about small remaining parts of something that was once whole, often after most of it is gone.
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Examples of usage
- The novel is full of mysterious fragments that slowly come together to form the whole picture.
- She found fragments of an old letter hidden in the attic.
- The fragments of the ancient artifact were scattered across the museum.
in computer science
To separate a file or document into smaller parts. Fragmenting data can help with organization and storage efficiency.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| fragments |
Use 'fragments' to describe something that is broken into small pieces, often implying it was once whole and is now in a shattered or incomplete state.
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| split |
Use 'split' to indicate dividing something into pieces, often forcefully or suddenly. It can also be used to suggest division of opinions or groups.
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| divide |
Use 'divide' to talk about splitting something into smaller parts, often equally. It can be used both for physical and abstract concepts.
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| separate |
Use 'separate' when talking about making a distinction between things or moving things apart. This can be used for both physical objects and abstract concepts.
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Examples of usage
- The software automatically fragments large files to improve performance.
- It is important to defragment your hard drive regularly to avoid slow processing speeds.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- In literature, fragments can refer to incomplete works or quotes that reveal deeper meanings.
- Famous works, like those from the philosopher Heraclitus, survive only in fragments, showing the importance of context.
Science
- In physics, fragments can refer to particles that remain after a larger object, like an asteroid, breaks apart.
- Fragments play a key role in understanding matter behavior in chemistry, as elements can break into smaller parts during reactions.
Art
- Artists often use fragments to create collages, combining small pieces of different materials into a new artwork.
- The concept of fragmentation is explored in postmodern art, where the whole is often represented by disjointed parts.
Psychology
- In psychology, memory fragments describe bits and pieces of memories that can surface independently and may not form a complete recollection.
- Trauma can result in fragmented memories, where individuals may remember certain details but not the entire experience.
Origin of 'fragments'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'fragmentum', meaning 'a piece broken off'.
- It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe pieces or parts that are not whole.
The word 'fragments' originated from the Latin word 'fragmentum', meaning 'a piece broken off'. It has been used in English since the 15th century to describe broken or separated parts. The concept of fragments has been widely explored in literature, art, and science, highlighting the beauty and complexity of incomplete wholes.
See also: fragmentable, fragmentary, fragmentation, fragmented, fragmenting, fragmentize.