frail Hear it!

frail1 definition

frail (frāl)

adjective

  1. easily broken, shattered, damaged, or destroyed; fragile; delicate
  2. slender and delicate; not robust; weak
  3. easily tempted to do wrong; morally weak

Etymology: ME frele < OFr < L fragilis, fragile

Related Forms:

frail2 definition

frail (frāl)

noun

a basket made of rushes, for packing figs, raisins, etc.

Etymology: ME fraiel < OFr frael, rush basket < ML fraellum < L flagellum, young branch, whip: see flagellum

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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