comminution

== English == === Etymology === From Latin comminūtiō (“breaking into pieces, crumbling, shattering; crushing, pulverizing”), from Latin comminuō (“to break or crumble into small pieces; to crush, pulverize”) (from com- (prefix indicating completeness) + minuō (“to make smaller; to diminish, lessen”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *mey- (“little, small”)) + Latin -tiō (suffix forming a noun relating to some action or the result of an action); equivalent to comminute +‎ -ion. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌkɒmɪˈnjuːʃ(ə)n/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˌkɑməˈn(j)uʃən/ Hyphenation: com‧mi‧nu‧tion === Noun === comminution (countable and uncountable, plural comminutions) (often mining, waste management) The breaking or grinding up of a material to form smaller particles. (traumatology) The fracture of a bone site in multiple pieces (technically, at least three); crumbling. ==== Usage notes ==== In traumatology, comminution is to be distinguished from a compound or open fracture, though fractures which are both comminuted and compound do occur. ==== Synonyms ==== (breaking or grinding up of a material): crushing, pulverization ==== Related terms ==== comminuible comminute comminuted (adjective) comminutor minute ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === comminution on Wikipedia.Wikipedia