Vulgar fraction

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.]
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            Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to
            any fraction or breaking up.          --Foxe.
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   2. A portion; a fragment.
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            Some niggard fractions of an hour.    --Tennyson.
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   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.
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   {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.
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Vulgar \Vul"gar\, a. [L. vulgaris, from vulgus the multitude,
   the common people; of uncertain origin: cf. F. vulgaire. Cf.
   {Divulge}.]
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   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.
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            Things vulgar, and well-weighed, scarce worth the
            praise.                               --Milton.
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            It might be more useful to the English reader . . .
            to write in our vulgar language.      --Bp. Fell.
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            The mechanical process of multiplying books had
            brought the New Testament in the vulgar tongue
            within the reach of every class.      --Bancroft.
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   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.
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            Men who have passed all their time in low and vulgar
            life.                                 --Addison.
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            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.
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   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.
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            Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. --Shak.
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   {Vulgar fraction}. (Arith.) See under {Fraction}.
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