[frag.ile] adj [MF, fr. L fragilis--more at frail] (1607) 1 a: easily broken or destroyed b: constitutionally delicate: lacking in physical vigor
2: tenuous, slight -- fra.gil.i.ty n syn 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 "patients with brittle bones". crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable esp. in some foods "crisp lettuce". friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized "friable soil". syn see in addition weak