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Esta entrada aún no se ha traducido a tu idioma, así que se muestra el original a continuación.
fractures
/ˈfræk.tʃərz/
The word evokes a sense of structural failure where something once solid becomes split or fragmented. In physical contexts, it suggests a sharp, often sudden break rather than a gradual wearing down.
When applied to social or political systems, it carries a heavy connotation of instability and division. It implies that the unity was shattered, creating distinct gaps or "fault lines" that make the whole entity fragile and prone to further collapse.
Compared to 'crack,' a fracture often feels more clinical or severe. In medicine, it is the precise term for a broken bone; in geology or engineering, it refers to a systemic failure of material integrity.
Used to count individual cracks in a wall, specific breaks in human bones, or distinct points of division within a political group.
💬Conversación Casual
Ryan's acting weird. I think our relationship has some serious fractures.
About time you caught on. He's been coasting for months.
Meanings
Examples
The X-ray clearly shows two fractures in the tibia.
I can see tiny fractures spreading across the windshield.
The political alliance is showing deep fractures over the new tax law.
Wait, are those fractures in the foundation of the house?
He suffered multiple fractures during the mountain biking accident.
The ancient pottery was held together despite several fractures.
I wonder if these fractures in our friendship can ever be healed.
The structural engineer noted several fractures in the concrete pillar.
Collocations & Compounds
hairline fractures
Very small, thin cracks, especially in bones.
stress fractures
A small crack in a bone caused by repetitive force.
multiple fractures
More than one break in bones or materials.
Idioms & Sayings
Etymology
The word 'fractures' originates from the Latin word 'fractura', meaning 'a breaking'. This, in turn, comes from the verb 'frangere', meaning 'to break'. The Proto-Indo-European root is 'bhreg-', also meaning 'to break'. The word entered English in the late Middle Ages, initially referring to the act of breaking or the state of being broken, particularly in the context of bones. Over time, its usage broadened to include breaks in inanimate objects and, metaphorically, in abstract concepts like relationships or systems. The spelling and pronunciation have remained relatively stable since its adoption into English.