“Fragment” and “fragmentary” are related terms but have distinct meanings. “Fragment” refers to a small part that is detached from something, whereas “fragmentary” refers to something that is made up of disconnected or incomplete parts. This lesson will define each word and provide examples to illustrate their proper usage.
Fragment
Definition:
A “fragment” is a small part detached from something larger.
Examples of use:
That meteorite may be a fragment of a primitive asteroid.
She found a fragment of an ancient pottery shard at the archaeological site.
The mirror broke into several fragments when it fell.
Fragmentary
Definition:
“Fragmentary” refers to something composed of disconnected or incomplete parts.
Examples of use:
It is possible to reconstruct organisms from fragmentary remains.
The historian relied on fragmentary evidence to piece together the events.
The manuscript was fragmentary, with only a few pages surviving.
A “fragment” is a small, detached part of something larger, while “fragmentary” describes something that is incomplete or made up of disconnected parts. Understanding these distinctions ensures accurate usage of these terms in context.
