noun A separation process in which a certain quantity of a mixture is divided up into smaller quantities (fractions) in which the composition changes according to a gradient; an instance of this process.
Methane is separated from other hydrocarbons in a gas fractionation plant.
noun The division of a total dose of radiation into fractions.
noun A preliminary stage of encryption that divides each plaintext symbol into several ciphertext symbols.
noun A form of hypnosis where the patient is made to enter and leave a trance state many times in quick succession.
noun A policy in United States law of dividing communal Native American land into lots by person, which are then subdivided by any heirs to the land.