Definition of: fracture

(frak′chər) noun
1. The act, mode, or result of breaking, or the state of being broken.
2. A break.
3. The breaking of a bone; a break in a bone.
—comminuted fracture A fracture in which the bone is splintered or crushed.
—compound fracture One leading to an open wound, often exposing the bone.
—impacted fracture One in which the broken parts are driven into each other.
—simple fracture One without any break in the skin: also closed fracture.
4. A rupture; crack.
5. The characteristic appearance of the freshly broken surface of a mineral, as a conchoidal fracture.
—v.t. & v.i. ·tured, ·tur·ing To break or be broken; crack. See synonyms under BREAK, RUPTURE.
—frac′tur·a·ble adjective
—frac′·tur·al adjective