fri·a·ble \ˈfrīəbəl\adjective Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin friabilis, from friare to rub, crumble + -abilis -able — more at friction : easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder < friable sandstone > < friable carcinomatous tissue > < friable curds formed in the stomach > • fri·a·ble·nessnoun-es