Fraction \Frac"tion\, n. [F. fraction, L. fractio a breaking, fr. frangere, fractum, to break. See Break.]

1. The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence. [Obs.]

[1913 Webster]

Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to any fraction or breaking up. --Foxe. [1913 Webster]

2. A portion; a fragment. [1913 Webster]

Some niggard fractions of an hour. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

3. (Arith. or Alg.) One or more aliquot parts of a unit or whole number; an expression for a definite portion of a unit or magnitude. [1913 Webster]

Common fraction, or Vulgar fraction, a fraction in which the number of equal parts into which the integer is supposed to be divided is indicated by figures or letters, called the denominator, written below a line, over which is the numerator, indicating the number of these parts included in the fraction; as 1/2, one half, 2/5, two fifths.

Complex fraction, a fraction having a fraction or mixed number in the numerator or denominator, or in both. --Davies & Peck.

Compound fraction, a fraction of a fraction; two or more fractions connected by of.

Continued fraction, Decimal fraction, Partial fraction, etc. See under Continued, Decimal, Partial, etc.

Improper fraction, a fraction in which the numerator is greater than the denominator.

Proper fraction, a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

Vulgar \Vul"gar\, a. [L. vulgaris, from vulgus the multitude, the common people; of uncertain origin: cf. F. vulgaire. Cf. Divulge.]

[1913 Webster]

1. Of or pertaining to the mass, or multitude, of people; common; general; ordinary; public; hence, in general use; vernacular. "As common as any the most vulgar thing to sense. " -- Shak. [1913 Webster]

Things vulgar, and well-weighed, scarce worth the praise. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

It might be more useful to the English reader . . . to write in our vulgar language. --Bp. Fell. [1913 Webster]

The mechanical process of multiplying books had brought the New Testament in the vulgar tongue within the reach of every class. --Bancroft. [1913 Webster]

2. Belonging or relating to the common people, as distinguished from the cultivated or educated; pertaining to common life; plebeian; not select or distinguished; hence, sometimes, of little or no value. "Like the vulgar sort of market men." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Men who have passed all their time in low and vulgar life. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

In reading an account of a battle, we follow the hero with our whole attention, but seldom reflect on the vulgar heaps of slaughter. --Rambler. [1913 Webster]

3. Hence, lacking cultivation or refinement; rustic; boorish; also, offensive to good taste or refined feelings; low; coarse; mean; base; as, vulgar men, minds, language, or manners. [1913 Webster]

Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Vulgar fraction. (Arith.) See under Fraction. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

Vulgar \Vul"gar\, a. [L. vulgaris, from vulgus the multitude, the common people; of uncertain origin: cf. F. vulgaire. Cf. Divulge.]

1. Of or pertaining to the mass, or multitude, of people; common; general; ordinary; public; hence, in general use; vernacular. ``As common as any the most vulgar thing to sense. '' -- Shak.

Things vulgar, and well-weighed, scarce worth the praise. --Milton.

It might be more useful to the English reader . . . to write in our vulgar language. --Bp. Fell.

The mechanical process of multiplying books had brought the New Testament in the vulgar tongue within the reach of every class. --Bancroft.

2. Belonging or relating to the common people, as distinguished from the cultivated or educated; pertaining to common life; plebeian; not select or distinguished; hence, sometimes, of little or no value. ``Like the vulgar sort of market men.'' --Shak.

Men who have passed all their time in low and vulgar life. --Addison.

In reading an account of a battle, we follow the hero with our whole attention, but seldom reflect on the vulgar heaps of slaughter. --Rambler.

3. Hence, lacking cultivation or refinement; rustic; boorish; also, offensive to good taste or refined feelings; low; coarse; mean; base; as, vulgar men, minds, language, or manners.

Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. --Shak.

Vulgar fraction. (Arith.) See under Fraction.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)