Definition of "fractionation" in Anglais

noun

1. (chemistry, uncountable, countable) 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. (radiotherapy) The division of a total dose of radiation into fractions.

3. (cryptography) 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.