fragment

Universal Words noun, verb noun a small part of sth that has broken off or comes from sth larger: Police found fragments of glass near the scene. * The shattered vase lay in fragments on the floor. * I overheard a fragment of their conversation. * She could recall only fragments of his poetry. verb [V, VN] (written) to break or make sth break into small pieces or parts fragmentation noun [U]: the fragmentation of the country into small independent states fragmented adjective: a fragmented society