fragmentary etymology

Etymology

Fragmentary derives from the Latin word "fragmentarius," meaning "broken" or "incomplete." It is related to the word "fragmentum," meaning "a piece broken off."

Meaning and Origin

Fragmentary refers to something that is broken, incomplete, or lacking coherence. It can be used to describe a physical object, a body of knowledge, or a narrative.

The term was first used in the early 17th century to describe broken pieces of pottery or sculpture. By the late 17th century, it began to be used figuratively to refer to incomplete or incoherent knowledge or narratives.

Usage

• The manuscript was fragmentary, with many pages missing.
• His understanding of the subject was fragmentary, as he had only read a few books on it.
• The movie was a fragmentary collection of scenes that didn't make much sense.

Similar Words

• Incomplete
• Partial
• Disjointed
• Scattered

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