Main Entry: frag·ile

Pronunciation: \ˈfra-jəl, -ˌjī(-ə)l\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle French, from Latin fragilis — more at frail

Date: 1521

1 a : easily broken or destroyed <a fragile vase> b : constitutionally delicate : lacking in vigor <a fragile child>
2 : tenuous, slight <fragile hope>

— fra·gil·i·ty \frə-ˈji-lə-tē\ noun

synonyms fragile, frangible, brittle, crisp, friable mean breaking easily. fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling <a fragile antique chair>. frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy <frangible stone used for paving>. brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness <brittle bones>. crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods <crisp lettuce>. friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized <friable soil>.

synonyms see in addition weak