Fragments: meaning, definitions and examples
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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.
|
| 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.
|
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.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- 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.
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.
Translations
Translations of the word "fragments" in other languages:
🇵🇹 fragmentos
🇮🇳 अंश
🇩🇪 Fragmente
🇮🇩 fragmen
🇺🇦 фрагменти
🇵🇱 fragmenty
🇯🇵 断片 (だんぺん)
🇫🇷 fragments
🇪🇸 fragmentos
🇹🇷 parçalar
🇰🇷 조각들
🇸🇦 شظايا
🇨🇿 fragmenty
🇸🇰 fragmenty
🇨🇳 碎片 (suìpiàn)
🇸🇮 fragmenti
🇮🇸 brot
🇰🇿 фрагменттер
🇬🇪 ფრაგმენტები
🇦🇿 fraqmentlər
🇲🇽 fragmentos