fracture
Definitions
A break or crack, especially in a bone.
断裂；尤指骨折、裂缝。
To break or crack; to cause something to split apart.
（使）断裂；（使）破裂。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedfract (break) + -ure (act/result) = 'a breaking.' This is the most literal member of the family — a fracture is simply a break, most often in a bone, but also in rock, metal, or, figuratively, in a society or relationship.
Root fract still carries 13 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.bone fracture骨折
- 2.stress fracture应力骨折
- 3.a compound/simple fracture复杂/简单骨折
- 4.fracture line断裂线
Example Sentences
- 1.
She suffered a hairline fracture in her left wrist.
- 2.
The cold caused the pipe to fracture overnight.
- 3.
The scandal fractured the once-united party.
Easily Confused
fracture vs break — In everyday speech 'break a bone' and 'fracture a bone' mean the same thing; fracture is the medical/technical word. For things other than bones, English prefers break (break a cup, not fracture a cup) unless describing rigid material splitting (the rock fractured).