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Glite Dictionary
to comminute

to comminute

1 9.9
Change something into very small pieces by pounding, crushing, or grinding
  • verb
  • /kəˈmɪn.juːt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : cominutar
  • Comminuted fractures of the middle phalangeal base are common and difficult to reconstruct.

Examples

  • PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): FIGURE 6. (A) Postoperative open reduction, internal fixation of comminuted distal humerus.

    Academic text (2003)

  • PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): (C) Type 3, comminuted radial head fracture.

    Academic text (2003)

  • A fracture is comminuted if there are more than two fragments at the fracture site (see Figure 10).

    Academic text (2002)

  • Currently, surgeons performing this procedure must estimate to the best of their ability the size and shape of the hamate autograft to fit the portion of the middle phalanx that has been comminuted.

    Academic text (2015)

  • To make a fine powder, you should comminute the herbs using a mortar and pestle.

  • The recipe calls for you to comminute the garlic until it becomes a paste.

  • For better flavor, comminute the spices before adding them to the dish.

Synonyms

to grind
vsto comminute
61 2.4

To crush something into powder by rubbing or pressing

aims only to reduce by pounding or crushing rather than to shape
to pulverize
vsto comminute
  • US
8 7.4

To crush something into a fine powder

makes small pieces or particles but not necessarily into fine dust
to crunch
vsto comminute
4 3.0

To crush something into small pieces

is the general process without stressing high force
to bray
vsto comminute
9.1

To crush seeds or plants into small pieces with a heavy bowl and stick

uses general pounding, crushing, or grinding rather than a specific tool

Antonyms

to assemble
169 2.9

To put parts together to make something like a machine or toy

How Small

to atomize
  • Specialized
1 7.4
to pulverize
  • US
8 7.4
to comminute
  • Archaic
1 9.9
crush
27 2.8
to break
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

comminute infinitive
comminuted past
comminuted past participle
comminuting present participle
comminutes third person singular

Morphology

comminute = minute (semi-transparent) = com + minute

The meaning ('reduce to small pieces') follows logically from com- + minute ('small'), but the word is a learned Latinate formation and rare, so the relation may not be fully obvious to average learners.

Etymology

The word comminute comes from the first part com- ('together') and the same root as minute ('small'), so it means to make something small. Think of mince or minute: to comminute is to crush or grind a material into very small pieces.