fracture
frac·ture / ˈfrakchər/ • n. 1. the cracking or breaking of a hard object or material: bone density testing can predict the risk for fracture. ∎ a crack or break in a hard object or material, typically a bone or a body of rock: a fracture of the left leg. ∎ the physical appearance of a freshly broken rock or mineral, esp. as regards the shape of the surface formed.2. Phonet. the replacement of a simple vowel by a diphthong owing to the influence of a following sound, typically a consonant. ∎ a diphthong substituted in this way.• v. break or cause to break: [intr.] the stone has fractured | [tr.] ancient magmas fractured by the forces of wind and ice. ∎ [tr.] sustain a fracture of (a bone): [as adj.] (fractured) she suffered a fractured skull. ∎ fig. (with reference to an organization or other abstract thing) split or fragment so as to no longer function or exist: [intr.] the movement had fractured without his leadership. ∎ [as adj.] (fractured) (of speech or a language) broken.