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Definition of fragmentary

fragmentary

/ˈfræɡ.mənˌtɛr.i/
frag · men · tar · y
Adverb:fragmentarily
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fragmentary Lexical Profile

fragmentary Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Consisting of small, disconnected, or incomplete parts rather than forming a unified whole.

Example

"Historians had to reconstruct the ancient civilization's timeline from fragmentary written records and scattered pottery shards."

2

Composed of compacted fragments of pre-existing rocks that were broken down before being deposited anew (in geology).

Example

"Sandstone and conglomerate are classic examples of fragmentary rock formations found along the canyon walls."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

fragilely
fragility
fragment
fragmentary
fragmentation
fragmentize
fragrance

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 17th century from the noun 'fragment' plus the suffix '-ary', ultimately tracing back to the Latin 'fragmentum' (a broken piece) from the verb 'frangere' (to break).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fragmentary. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fragmentary
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