fraction

noun

• 1a numerical quantity that is not a whole number (e.g. 1/ 2, 0.5).

• 2a small or tiny part, amount, or proportion of something:he hesitated for a fraction of a second her eyes widened a fraction
• a dissenting group within a larger one: the dominant classes or fractions in capitalist societies

• 3 Chemistry each of the portions into which a mixture may be separated according to a physical property such as boiling point or solubility: the third fraction contain alcohols with boiling points of 120–130°C

• 4 [mass noun] (usually the Fraction) (in the Christian Church) the breaking of the Eucharistic bread: the Fraction may be accompanied by the Agnus Dei