fractable: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Very Rare / Obsolete
UK/ˈfraktəb(ə)l/US/ˈfræktəbəl/

Literary / Archaic

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Quick answer

What does “fractable” mean?

Capable of being handled, managed, or negotiated with.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Capable of being handled, managed, or negotiated with; tractable.

Describes a person or group that is cooperative, amenable, or easy to deal with in discussions or negotiations.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Equally obsolete in both varieties. No modern dialectal difference exists.

Connotations

Historically carried a formal, possibly slightly literary connotation.

Frequency

Not used in contemporary English. Found only in historical texts.

Grammar

How to Use “fractable” in a Sentence

Subject (person/group) + BE + fractableSubject (person/group) + prove/seem + fractable

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
rarely fractableproved fractable
medium
fractable naturefractable temper
weak
more fractablefractable group

Examples

Examples of “fractable” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The local council, usually so fractable, surprised everyone with its firm resistance.

American English

  • He hoped the committee would be fractable during the contract negotiations.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Not used in contemporary academic writing; potentially found in historical/literary analysis.

Everyday

Not used.

Technical

Not used.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “fractable”

Strong

compliantamenablecooperative

Neutral

tractablemanageable

Weak

easygoingaccommodating

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “fractable”

intractablerecalcitrantunmanageablestubborn

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “fractable”

  • Using it in modern speech/writing.
  • Confusing it with 'fractionable' (capable of being divided).
  • Using it to describe objects rather than people's disposition.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is an archaic word that is essentially obsolete in modern English. 'Tractable' is the standard term.

No. Historically, it described a person's or group's character or disposition as being easy to manage or negotiate with.

Primarily for reading historical or literary texts. It is not recommended for active use in speech or writing.

No common noun form exists. The related noun is 'tractability' or 'tractableness'.

Capable of being handled, managed, or negotiated with.

Fractable is usually literary / archaic in register.

Fractable: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfraktəb(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfræktəbəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'FRACTurable' as something that can break – but 'FRACTable' is the opposite: a person who can be 'handled' without breaking the discussion.

Conceptual Metaphor

NEGOTIATION IS HANDLING AN OBJECT (a fractable person is an object that is easy to handle).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In the 19th-century novel, the young heir was described as remarkably , always willing to listen to his guardian's advice.
Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the closest modern synonym for the archaic word 'fractable'?