friable

fri·a·ble

adj \ˈfrī-ə-bəl\

Definition of FRIABLE

: easily crumbled or pulverized <friable soil>

— fri·a·bil·i·ty \ˌfrī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

Examples of FRIABLE

1. <sand dollars are friable, so handle them carefully>

Origin of FRIABLE

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin friabilis, from friare to crumble — more at friction

First Known Use: 1563

Related to FRIABLE

Synonyms: brickle [dialect], brittle, crispy, crumbly, embrittled, flaky (also flakey), crisp, short

Related Words: crackly, crisped, crispened, crunchy, crusty; breakable, delicate, fragile

Near Antonyms: elastic, flexible, pliable, pliant, resilient; strong, sturdy, tough

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See Synonym Discussion at fragile

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

Rhymes with FRIABLE

dryable, dyeable, flyable, liable, pliable, triable, viable