fragile
adjective
- easily broken
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈfɹæd͡ʒaɪl/ / /ˈfɹæd͡ʒəl/
adj
Etymology: Borrowed from Middle French fragile, from Latin fragilis, formed on frag-, the root of frangere (“to break”). Cognate with fraction, fracture and doublet of frail.
- Easily broken, not sturdy; of delicate material.
“She caught the fragile vase before it could shatter on the floor.”
“The chemist synthesizes a fragile molecule.”
- Readily disrupted or destroyed.
“The UN tries to maintain the fragile peace process in the region.”
- Feeling weak or easily disturbed as a result of illness.
- Thin-skinned or oversensitive.
“He is a very fragile person and gets easily depressed.”
noun
Etymology: Borrowed from Middle French fragile, from Latin fragilis, formed on frag-, the root of frangere (“to break”). Cognate with fraction, fracture and doublet of frail.
- Something that is fragile.