fracture

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frac|ture /fr'æktʃər/ (fractures fracturing fractured)
1 [N-COUNT]
A fracture is a slight crack or break in something, especially a bone.
At least one-third of all women over ninety have sustained a hip fracture.
2 [VERB] V n, V, V-ed
If something such as a bone is fractured or fractures, it gets a slight crack or break in it.
You've fractured a rib, maybe more than one...
One strut had fractured and been crudely repaired in several places...
He suffered a fractured skull.
3 [VERB] V n, V
If something such as an organization or society is fractured or fractures, it splits into several parts or stops existing. (FORMAL)
His policy risks fracturing the coalition...
It might be a society that could fracture along class lines.com|pound frac|ture (compound fractures)
[N-COUNT]
A compound fracture is a fracture in which the broken bone sticks through the skin.

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