friable

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   easily crumbled, broken into small fragments, or reduced to powder

   The fossil was embedded in friable limestone that fell apart under light pressure.

2. 2
   adj

   of tissue, easily damaged and liable to crumble or bleed when touched

   The clinician handled the friable tissue carefully during the examination.

Borrowed from Middle French friable or directly from Latin friabilis ("easily crumbled"), from friare ("to crumble"). The Latin verb is related to fricare ("to rub"), the source of friction.

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