fractionation
nounEtymology By surface analysis, fraction + -ation, or, by surface analysis, fractionate + -ion.
1
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences 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.
- After several fractionations, we had a usable product.
2
The division of a total dose of radiation into fractions.
3
Computing, Cryptography, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences A preliminary stage of encryption that divides each plaintext symbol into several ciphertext symbols.
4
A form of hypnosis where the patient is made to enter and leave a trance state many times in quick succession.