fractionate verb. ['frakʃǝneɪt] M19.
[from FRACTION + -ATE³.]
1. verb trans. Chemistry etc. Separate into fractions by distillation or another method. M19.
fractionating column a tall vessel with horizontal subdivisions and inert packing, in which vapour from a still passes upwards through descending condensate, the vapour becoming progressively enriched in more volatile components as it ascends, and the less volatile components becoming concentrated in the descending liquid.
b. gen. = FRACTIONALIZE. M20.

2. verb intrans. Break up into fractions. M20.

■ fractio'nation noun L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲