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friable

 - 5 dictionary results

fri⋅a⋅ble

  [frahy-uh-buhl]
Use friable in a Sentence
–adjective
easily crumbled or reduced to powder; crumbly: friable rock.
Origin:
1555–65; < L friābilis, equiv. to friā(re) to rub, crumble + -ābilis -able

Related forms:
fri⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, fri⋅a⋅ble⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
fragile, frangible.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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fri·a·ble   (frī'ə-bəl)   
adj.  Readily crumbled; brittle: friable asbestos insulation.

[Latin friābilis, from friāre, to crumble.]
fri'a·bil'i·ty, fri'a·ble·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

friable 
1563, from L. friabilis "easily crumbled or broken," from friare "rub away, crumble into small pieces," related to fricare "to rub."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: fri·a·ble
Pronunciation: 'frI-&-b&l
Function: adjective
: easily crumbled or pulverized <friable carcinomatoustissue> <friable curds formed in the stomach> —fri·a·bil·i·ty /"frI-&-'bil-&t-E/ noun plural -ties
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

friable fri·a·ble (frī'ə-bəl)
adj.

  1. Readily crumbled; brittle.

  2. Relating to a dry, brittle growth of bacteria.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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