Definition of friable
: easily crumbled or pulverized friable soil
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Examples of friable in a Sentence
sand dollars are friable, so handle them carefully
Did You Know?
Friable entered into English in the mid-1500s, and was borrowed either from Middle French or directly from Latin friabilis. This Latin adjective comes from the verb "friare," which means "to crumble." "Friare" in turn is related to the verb "fricare" ("to rub"), the source of the English noun "friction." "Friable" is used to describe something that can be easily reduced to a powdered form. In contemporary usage, it is often found in the discussion of asbestos. Health concerns about asbestos primarily center around friable asbestos - that is, asbestos that is easily pulverized into tiny fibers which may remain suspended in the air and become a potential health risk to those who inhale them.
Origin and Etymology of friable
Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin friabilis, from friare to crumble — more at friction
First Known Use: 1563
Synonym Discussion of friable
Other Geology Terms
anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale
FRIABLE Defined for English Language Learners
friable
playDefinition of friable for English Language Learners
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: easily broken into smaller pieces
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about friable
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See words that rhyme with friable Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for friable Spanish Central: Translation of friable Nglish: Translation of friable for Spanish speakers
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