n. [ Cf. F. friabilité. ] The quality of being friable; friableness. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. friabilis, fr. friare to rub, break, or crumble into small pieces, cf. fricare to rub, E. fray: cf. F. friable. ] Easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder. “Friable ground.” Evelyn. “Soft and friable texture.” Paley. --
n. [ OR. frere, F. frère brother, friar, fr. L. frater brother. See Brother. ]
Friar bird (Zool.),
Friar's balsam (Med.),
Friar's cap (Bot.),
Friar's cowl (Bot.),
Friar's lantern,
Friar skate (Zool.),
a. Like a friar; inexperienced. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ From Friar, n. ] Like a friar; pertaining to friars or to a convent. [ Obs. ] Camden. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ OF. frerie, frairie, fr. frère. See Friar. ]
n. [ See Friable. ] The act of breaking up or pulverizing. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Cf. F. frivole, L. frivolus, or E. frippery. ] Frivolous; trifling; silly. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A frivolous, contemptible fellow; a fop. [ 1913 Webster ]
A pert fribble of a peer. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]