Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Decimal \Dec"i*mal\, a. [F. d['e]cimal (cf. LL. decimalis), fr.
   L. decimus tenth, fr. decem ten. See {Ten}, and cf. {Dime}.]
   Of or pertaining to decimals; numbered or proceeding by tens;
   having a tenfold increase or decrease, each unit being ten
   times the unit next smaller; as, decimal notation; a decimal
   coinage.

   {Decimal arithmetic}, the common arithmetic, in which
      numeration proceeds by tens.

   {Decimal fraction}, a fraction in which the denominator is
      some power of 10, as 2/10, 25/100, and is usually not
      expressed, but is signified by a point placed at the left
      hand of the numerator, as .2, .25.

   {Decimal point}, a dot or full stop at the left of a decimal
      fraction. The figures at the left of the point represent
      units or whole numbers, as 1.05.

Fraction \Frac"tion\, n. [F. fraction, L. fractio a breaking,
   fr. frangere, fractum, to break. See {Break}.]
   1. The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially
      by violence. [Obs.]

            Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to
            any fraction or breaking up.          --Foxe.

   2. A portion; a fragment.

            Some niggard fractions of an hour.    --Tennyson.

   3. (Arith. or Alg.) One or more aliquot parts of a unit or
      whole number; an expression for a definite portion of a
      unit or magnitude.

   {Common, or Vulgar}, {fraction}, a fraction in which the
      number of equal parts into which the integer is supposed
      to be divided is indicated by figures or letters, called
      the denominator, written below a line, over which is the
      numerator, indicating the number of these parts included
      in the fraction; as 1/2, one half, 2/5, two fifths.

   {Complex fraction}, a fraction having a fraction or mixed
      number in the numerator or denominator, or in both.
      --Davies & Peck.

   {Compound fraction}, a fraction of a fraction; two or more
      fractions connected by of.

   {Continued fraction}, {Decimal fraction}, {Partial fraction},
      etc. See under {Continued}, {Decimal}, {Partial}, etc.

   {Improper fraction}, a fraction in which the numerator is
      greater than the denominator.

   {Proper fraction}, a fraction in which the numerator is less
      than the denominator.

Source : WordNet®

decimal fraction
     n : a proper fraction whose denominator is a power of 10 [syn: {decimal}]