friableadj.
/ˈfrʌɪəbl/, U.S. /ˈfraɪəb(ə)l/ Capable of being easily crumbled or reduced to powder; pulverizable, crumbly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > lack of density > [adjective] > loose texture > lacking cohesion > friable or crumbly
crumbly?1523
friable1563
crummy1567
mouldery1600
short1607
bruisable1611
powdery1657
brashya1722
pulverulent1794
powderous1863
the world > matter > constitution of matter > granular texture > [adjective] > powdery or dusty > made powdery > finely > able to be
friable1563
levigable1850
1563 T. Gale Treat. Gonneshot 2 The spume of Nitre is Judged best, which is most lyghte, fryable.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World Pref. sig. Ev Stone-walls, of matter moldring and friable, haue stood two, or three thousand yeares.
1685 R. Boyle Short Mem. Hist. Mineral Waters 48 Lightly calcin'd..till it became..friable between the Fingers.
1789 G. White Nat. Hist. Selborne 10 Balls of a friable substance, like rust of iron, called rust balls.
1845 G. E. Day tr. J. F. Simon Animal Chem. I. 288 The clot is soft, friable..and is very rarely covered with a buffy coat.
1870 R. W. Emerson Farming in Wks. (1906) III. 61 These tiles..drain the land, make it sweet and friable.
Derivatives
ˈfriableness n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > lack of density > [noun] > loose texture > lack of cohesion > quality of being friable or crumbly
friability1620
shortness1655
friableness1667
crumbliness1807
1667 R. Boyle Origine Formes & Qualities (ed. 2) 317 In Vitriol the friableness..need not be attributed to the compositum as such.
1852 Johnston in Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 13 i. 21 The natural fertility and friableness of its soils.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1563