fragment
UK: /ˈfræɡmənt/ | US: /ˈfræɡmənt/
n. a small part broken off or detached from a whole
vt. to break or divide into fragments
The word "fragment" originates from the Latin fragmentum, derived from frangere (to break). The morpheme "frag" preserves the core meaning of breaking, while "-ment" is a noun-forming suffix indicating the result of an action. Over time, the term evolved in Middle English via Old French, retaining its literal sense of a broken piece while also gaining metaphorical uses (e.g., fragmented memories). The logic is straightforward: "frag" (break) + "-ment" (result) = "a broken piece."
The vase shattered into tiny fragments on the floor.
Archaeologists discovered a fragment of an ancient manuscript.
Over time, the glacier fragmented into smaller ice sheets.
Her speech was just a fragment of what she had planned to say.
The software can defragment files to improve storage efficiency.