1. In Computing, this is the separation of data in a single file over a wide area of physical disk storage. The data resides on non-contiguous areas of the disk. It is an inefficiency as the drive works harder to retrieve a file scattered in this way. Defragging, short for defragmentation, is the cure. It puts the file’s data together on contiguous space. 2. In Economy, this is when buyers and sellers attempt to dominate, but it does not happen. It causes market upheaval leading to buyer – seller shakeouts where the weaker buyers and sellers are eventually overwhelmed by the stronger buyers and sellers.