A shape that can be repeatedly subdivided into parts, each of which is a smaller copy of the whole e g from the macrocosm of our Universe to the microcosm of the frond of the leaf of a Fern
A fractal is a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be subdivided in parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole Fractals are generally self-similar and independent of scale