Fragmentitious

/ˌfrægmənˈtɪʃəs/ adjective

Definition

Made up of fragments or parts that don't naturally belong together; hastily put together from various sources.

Etymology

A rare, archaic adjective formed from 'fragment' with the Latin suffix '-itious' (meaning 'of the nature of' or 'characterized by'). This suffix appears in words like 'factitious' and 'adventitious', creating adjectives that suggest artificial or contingent qualities.

Kelly Says

Medieval medical knowledge was fragmentitious—doctors combined classical Greek texts, local herbalism, astrological theory, and pure superstition into treatments that seemed unified only because they were presented with confidence, much like how we now piece together health advice from internet sources.

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