fractus

Fractus is a Latin adjective meaning “broken” or “shattered”, derived from the perfect passive participle of the verb frangere (“to break”). The term appears in a variety of scientific, literary, and historical contexts, often as a descriptive epithet in taxonomy, anatomy, and astronomy.

In biological nomenclature, fractus is used as a species epithet to denote organisms with fragmented or irregular markings. Examples include Lepidoptera species such as *Papilio fractus*, a butterfly noted for its mottled wing pattern, and the marine gastropod *Conus fractus*, characterized by a shattered‑looking shell sculpture. The epithet follows the binomial conventions set by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and is not a genus name in its own right.

In anatomy, fractus appears in the names of certain pathological conditions that involve fragmentation of tissue. “Fractura” refers to a bone fracture, while “sutura fracta” describes a cleft or broken suture line in cranial anatomy. Historical medical texts occasionally use “fractus” as a descriptor for torn or fragmented muscle fibers.

Astronomical usage is limited but includes the minor planet (1652) Fractus, discovered in 1936. The name, assigned by its discoverer, reflects the irregular, broken appearance of the asteroid’s surface as inferred from photometric observations.

Beyond technical usage, fractus features in classical literature and medieval manuscripts as a metaphor for brokenness, loss, or disorder. Its persistence across disciplines illustrates the enduring influence of Latin terminology in the classification and description of natural phenomena.