comminuting

Verb

comminute (third-person singular simple present comminutes, present participle comminuting, simple past and past participle comminuted)

1. (transitive) To break into smaller portions.
   • Near-synonym: macerate

   Synonyms:

   macerate

   1. (transitive) To pulverize; to smash.
      • High temperatures required for reaction between components can result in loss of volatile oxides, while milling may not comminute powders sufficiently for complete reaction to occur on calcination.1991, David Segal, Chemical Synthesis of Advanced Ceramic Materials, page 20
   2. (transitive) To cause fragmentation (of bone).
      • For example, comminuting fractures on ribs 4–8 along the rib angle most likely are associated to shots through the scapula, whereas injuries through or near to the costochondral articulation of the first rib could also be associated to wounds of the sternum or clavicle.2008, Erin H. Kimmerle, Jose Pablo Baraybar, Skeletal Trauma: Identification of Injuries Resulting from Human Rights Abuse and Armed Conflict, page 410

See all 4 meanings of comminute