fractal
/ˈfɹæk.təl/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.97 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A mathematical set that has a non-integer and constant Hausdorff dimension, corresponding to a geometric figure or object that is self-similar at arbitrarily small scales and thus has infinite complexity.
noun
An object, system, or idea that exhibits a fractal-like property, such as the property of self-similarity at numerous but not infinitely many scales.
adj
Exhibiting a fractal-like property.
Example Sentences
- "In essence, you are assuming that each segment of a company is a fractal of the whole[…]"
- "Romanesco was my gateway cauli and I've never stopped growing it. Not a variety as much as its own thing, Romanesco is a cauliflower to the French, a calabrese to the Italians. […] Visually, it may be the most remarkable thing you can grow: it is made up of lime-green mini-spirals that coil around themselves in fractal formation."
- "A fractal situation emerges in this way then: the consequences of Ulysses' decision to abandon Calypso are not entirely predictable."
Etymology
From French fractal, from Latin fractus (“broken”), perfect passive participle of frangō (“break, fragment”).
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈfɹæk.təl/
- British English: /ˈfɹæk.təl/