Broken or cracked, especially partially rather than completely. Can refer to bones, relationships, or abstract concepts that are damaged but not destroyed.
From Latin fractus, past participle of frangere meaning 'to break.' The root frang- gave rise to many English words related to breaking. The medical sense developed as understanding of bone injuries became more sophisticated.
In geology, fractured rock creates some of the world's most important aquifers - the cracks allow water to flow and be stored underground. The term 'fractured' has also evolved in modern usage to describe fragmented societies or broken systems that still function partially, unlike 'shattered' which implies complete destruction.
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