Fraction
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): ( n.) The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence.
(2): ( n.) A portion; a fragment.
(3): ( n.) One or more aliquot parts of a unit or whole number; an expression for a definite portion of a unit or magnitude.
(4): ( v. t.) To separate by means of, or to subject to, fractional distillation or crystallization; to fractionate; - frequently used with out; as, to fraction out a certain grade of oil from pretroleum.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
a technical name for the act of breaking the bread in the celebration of the holy eucharist. There are three kinds of fraction in use at present; though only the first of them is essential to the sacrament, and can be traced with certainty to the infancy of the Church:
(1) a fraction illustrative of the words of institution, and therefore a direct imitation of our Lord's action;
(2) purely symbolical fractions after the consecration has been completed;
(3) the necessary fraction for the distribution of the bread among the communicants. For the illustration of each of these in the various rituals, see Smith, Dict. Of Christ. Antiq. s.v.
