Fragmentarily

Fragmentarily is an adverb that describes actions or processes performed in a fragmented or incomplete manner. It generally implies that something is done or exists only partially, in pieces, or with gaps remaining. The term is used in various contexts, including literature, linguistics, archaeology, and everyday speech, to convey that a subject lacks cohesion or completeness.

Etymology and formation

The word derives from the adjective fragmentary, which in turn comes from the Latin fragmentum meaning “a fragment.” By adding the suffix –ly, the form becomes an adverb, indicating manner. While “fragmentary” is more common in English, “fragmentarily” has a specific nuance of handling or describing something in disjointed fragments rather than a single, assembled whole.

Usage examples

In literary criticism, critics may describe the structure of an experimental novel as fragmented when its narrative is told in short scenes or disjointed viewpoints; they might say the novel is presented fragmentarily. In linguistic studies, a text that survives only as scattered manuscripts is said to have been preserved fragmentarily. Archaeologists might describe the recovery of artifacts as fragmentarily intact when pieces are collected from different layers or sites. In everyday speech, someone might describe recounting a memory fragmentarily if they offer only snippets rather than a continuous story.

Nuances and distinctions

While “fragmentarily” implies a process or presentation broken into parts, “fragmentary” typically describes the object or state itself. For instance, a fragmentary manuscript is one that has missing portions; treating it fragmentarily means dealing with its incomplete parts, such as piecing together translations. The adverb stresses how something is approached or described, rather than the inherent quality of the thing itself.

Related forms

The adjective for the same idea is fragmentary. Nouns pertaining to this sense include fragmentation (the process of breaking into fragments), fragment (the singular piece), and fragmentary evidence (incomplete data). Synonyms include piecemeal, disjointed, and incomplete. However, “fragmentarily” carries a formal tone and is less common in colloquial speech.