First Known Use: 1563
Dictionary
friable
adjective fri·a·ble \ˈfrī-ə-bəl\
: easily broken into smaller pieces
Full Definition of FRIABLE
: easily crumbled or pulverized <friable soil>
— fri·a·bil·i·ty \ˌfrī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
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Origin of FRIABLE
Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin friabilis, from friare to crumble — more at friction
Related to FRIABLE
Synonym Discussion of FRIABLE
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>.
Other Geology Terms
Medical Dictionary
friable
adjective fri·a·ble \ˈfrī-ə-bəl\
Medical Definition of FRIABLE
: easily crumbled or pulverized <friable carcinomatous tissue>; also : marked by erosion and bleeding <a friable cervix with bleeding on contact—Pippa Oakeshott et al>
—fri·a·bil·i·ty \ˌfrī-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē\ noun, plural fri·a·bil·i·ties
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