Fragmenterne

Fragmenterne is the definite plural form of the Danish noun fragment, which refers to small pieces or parts that result from breaking or dividing something. In Danish, fragment is a neuter noun; the indefinite plural is fragmenter, while fragmenterne denotes specific fragments that are known or being discussed. The corresponding singular forms are et fragment (indefinite) and fragmentet (definite).

Etymology and usage in language. The word fragment originates from Latin fragmentum, meaning a broken piece, and has been adopted into Danish and other European languages through historical contact with Latin, and later via French or German intermediaries. In Danish, fragmenterne is commonly used when referencing particular fragments within a larger whole, such as fragments of pottery, manuscript fragments, or fragments found during an excavation.

Contexts and examples. The term is widely used across disciplines: archaeology and archaeology-related reporting describe fragmenterne of ceramics or inscriptions; textual studies discuss fragmenterne of manuscripts or letters; science and engineering may refer to fragmenterne of materials after breakage; in art or music, fragments of a composition or motif can also be described as fragmenterne. The definite form emphasizes that the fragments are specified or contextually identified.

See also. fragment, fragmentarisk, fragments, fragmentariske. The concept is closely tied to ideas of reconstruction, fragmentary evidence, and partial data in research and analysis.