comminution

Com`mi*nu"tion, n. 1. The act of reducing to a fine powder or to small particles; pulverization; the state of being comminuted. Bentley. 2. (Surg.) Defn: Fracture (of a bone) into a number of pieces. Dunglison. 3. Gradual diminution by the removal of small particles at a time; a lessening; a wearing away. Natural and necessary comminution of our lives. Johnson.

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