mindmap root((易碎)) fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling: a ~ antique chair. frangible implies an inherent susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy: ~ stone used as paving material. brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness: elderly patients with ~ bones. crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods: ~ lettuce. friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled to pulverized: ~ soil.