frail Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the weight of a frail (basket) full of raisins or figs; between 50 and 75 pounds
  2. noun a basket for holding dried fruit (especially raisins or figs)
  3. adjective physically weak
    • an invalid's frail body
  4. adjective satellite wanting in moral strength, courage, or will; having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings
    weak; fallible; imperfect.
    • I'm only a fallible human
    • frail humanity
  5. adjective satellite easily broken or damaged or destroyed
    fragile; delicate.
    • a kite too delicate to fly safely
    • fragile porcelain plates
    • fragile old bones
    • a frail craft

WordNet

Frail noun
Etymology
OE. fraiel, fraile, OF. fraiel, freel, frael, fr. LL. fraellum.
Definitions
  1. 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 adjective
Etymology
OE. frele, freile, OF. fraile, frele, F. frêle, fr. L. fragilis. See Fragile.
Wordforms
comparative Frailer ; superlative Frailest
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913