fran·gi·ble
Pronunciation: 'fran-j&-b&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin frangibilis, from Latin frangere to break -- more at BREAK
: readily or easily broken
synonym see FRAGILE
- fran·gi·bil·i·ty
Is there any time when this word would be preferable or more appropriate over fragile?
frangible
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
- Posts: 2578
- Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:56 pm
- Location: Crownsville, MD
Re: frangible
From the American Heritage Dictionary entry from Fragile:. . .
Is there any time when this word would be preferable or more appropriate over fragile?
SYNONYMS: fragile, breakable, frangible, delicate, brittle These adjectives mean easily broken or damaged.
Fragile applies to objects that are not made of strong or sturdy material and that require great care when handled: fragile porcelain plates.
Breakable and frangible mean capable of being broken but do not necessarily imply inherent weakness: breakable toys; frangible artifacts.
Delicate refers to what is so soft, tender, or fine as to be susceptible to injury: delicate fruit.
Brittle refers to inelasticity that makes something especially likely to fracture or snap when it is subjected to pressure: brittle bones.
See also synonyms at weak.
Regards//Larry
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee
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