What does fragmentally mean?
Fragmentally is an uncommon English adverb meaning in a fragmentary manner, especially in separate, incomplete pieces rather than as a unified whole. It can describe how evidence is assembled, how a signal or process operates, or how an event unfolds. For example, a damaged text may be interpreted fragmentally by comparing surviving portions, while data arriving in intermittent packets may be processed fragmentally. The word is related to the adjective fragmental and the more familiar fragmentary. Unlike 'partly,' which can imply a straightforward division of scope, fragmentally tends to emphasize disconnection, incompleteness, or the broken nature of what is being described. It is chiefly formal or technical and is not common in everyday speech. Because its sense depends heavily on context, writers usually choose it when the fragmented manner itself is important rather than merely saying that something is incomplete.
adverbIn a fragmentary manner; in separate or incomplete pieces rather than as a complete whole.
- In separate, incomplete, or disconnected pieces rather than as a complete or continuous whole.
"The archaeologists reconstructed the inscription fragmentally by comparing its surviving sections and isolated marks."
"The signal was captured fragmentally, producing intermittent packets instead of a continuous stream."
"She reconstructed the lost narrative fragmentally from letters, photographs, and oral histories."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does fragmentally come from?
Fragmentally is an English formation based on 'fragment,' with the ending '-ally' giving it an adverbial sense. Its vocabulary ultimately comes from Latin fragmentum, meaning 'a broken piece,' which is derived from frangere, 'to break.' Related words in the same root family include fragmentary, frangible, and refract.
How fragmentally is actually used
This is a relatively uncommon, chiefly formal or technical adverb. It emphasizes that something is divided, incomplete, or operating in disconnected pieces, rather than merely being limited in scope.
Easily confused with fragmentally
Fragmentary is an adjective meaning consisting of fragments or incomplete, whereas fragmentally is the adverb describing something done in a fragmentary manner.