Jump to content

fracture - Word of the Day - Fri Feb 27, 2026


Quote

fracture - (n) - a breaking point that permanently alters a relationship or system

Comedy Nft GIF by LosVagosNFT

Quote

The fracture between them widened with every unspoken word.

Quote

Author tip: Fractures should carry lasting consequences.
Genre tags: Drama, Romance

 

  • Like 7

4 Comments


Recommended Comments

Bill W

Posted

The word fracture originates from the Latin fractus, the past participle of frangere (to break or shatter) + -ūra (suffix forming nouns of result/action).  It entered Middle English (recorded around 1375–1425) via Middle French.  It refers to the breaking or splitting of hard materials.   It denotes a breach, rupture, or crack, often implying a brittle material.  The term was adopted into medical English to describe broken bones (early 1500s).   Related to words like fractionfractious, and fragile

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of the noun fracture in English is from 1525 in a surgical context in Hieronymus von Brunschwig's Noble Experyence of Veruous Handy Warke of Surgeri.  It refers to the breaking of a bone, originating from Middle French and Latin roots, though some sources suggest usage in the early 15th century.  First use of the verb form of fracture (to cause a fracture) appeared later, with usages recorded from the early 17th century (implied in 1610s), although the OED states it was in the mid-1700s (specifically 1767).

  • Like 5

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...