[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

fracture \frac"ture\ ?; 135, n. l. fractura, fr. frangere,
   fractum, to break: cf. f. fracture. see fraction.
   1. the act of breaking or snapping asunder; rupture; breach.
      1913 webster

   2. surg. the breaking of a bone.
      1913 webster

   3. min. the texture of a freshly broken surface; as, a
      compact fracture; an even, hackly, or conchoidal fracture.
      1913 webster

   comminuted fracture surg., a fracture in which the bone
      is broken into several parts.

   complicated fracture surg., a fracture of the bone
      combined with the lesion of some artery, nervous trunk, or
      joint.

   compound fracture surg., a fracture in which there is an
      open wound from the surface down to the fracture.

   simple fracture surg., a fracture in which the bone only
      is ruptured. it does not communicate with the surface by
      an open wound.

   syn: fracture, rupture.

   usage: these words denote different kinds of breaking,
          according to the objects to which they are applied.
          fracture is applied to hard substances; as, the
          fracture of a bone. rupture is oftener applied to soft
          substances; as, the rupture of a blood vessel. it is
          also used figuratively. "to be an enemy and once to
          have been a friend, does it not embitter the rupture?"
          --south.
          1913 webster
see also:
fraction comminuted fracture complicated fracture compound fracture simple fracture fracture 
rupture 

Complicated >> C Words
Complicated, definition of term: Complicated
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Fracture >> F Words
Fracture, definition of term: Fracture
fracture_pag1.html

Potts Fracture >> P Words
Potts Fracture, definition of term: Potts Fracture
potts+fracture_pag1.html