Based on some properties of fuzzy t-norm and t-conorm operators, the concept of fuzzy-rough sets on compact computational domain has been put forward. Various mathematical properties of this new definition of fuzzy-rough sets are discussed from pattern classification viewpoint. It is established that the proposed approach identifies various patterns in the sense of fuzzy-roughness, in addition to providing deeper insight into various concepts of fuzzy-rough sets. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.