Category:Frail

Frail, n. Etym: [OE. fraiel, fraile, OF. fraiel, freel, frael, fr. LL. fraellum.]

Defn: A basket made of rushes, used chiefly for containing figs and raisins.

2. The quantity of raisins -- about thirty-two, fifty-six, or seventy-five pounds, -- contained in a frail.

3. A rush for weaving baskets. Johnson.

frail Frail, a. [Compar. Frailer; superl. Frailest.] Etym: [OE. frele, freile, OF. fraile, frele, F. frêle, fr. L. fragilis. See Fragile.]

1. Easily broken; fragile; not firm or durable; liable to fail and perish; easily destroyed; not tenacious of life; weak; infirm. That I may know how frail I am. Ps. xxxix. 4. An old bent man, worn and frail. Lowell.

2. Tender. [Obs.] Deep indignation and compassion. Spenser.

3. Liable to fall from virtue or be led into sin; not strong against temptation; weak in resolution; also, unchaste; -- often applied to fallen women. Man is frail, and prone to evil. Jer. Taylor.