http://www.englishforums.com/English/GeneralEnglishVocabularyIdiom-Questions/Forum29.htmHelp with defining words and idioms, and new words and idioms that you've learntenXMOD (Build: 3607.32596)http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatsTheDifference/dzjxb/post.htm#278088Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:12:43 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:278088J Lewis0http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatsTheDifference/dzjxb/post.htm#278088http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-278088.xmlYes, it's a technical word. Also used for kinds of rock. Brittle too is used technically to indicate that under stress a material deforms very little before breaking.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatsTheDifference/dzjxb/post.htm#278029Fri, 22 May 2009 12:12:43 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:278029Grammar Geek1http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatsTheDifference/dzjxb/post.htm#278029http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-278029.xmlI used friable It means it breaks into very tiny pieces when disturbed. This was important in places like a clean room where semiconductors are assembled (are you listening, Goodman?), and also with asbestos, which causes problems with people's lungs. But it's hardly conversational - it's scientific.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatsTheDifference/dzjxb/post.htm#278016Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:12:43 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:278016Clive2http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatsTheDifference/dzjxb/post.htm#278016http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-278016.xmlHi, What are the differences between 'friable' , 'brittle' , 'crumbly' and 'frail' ? In which contexts should we use them ? I mean with food...bones...figurative sense... I'm not exactly sure what you mean by figurative in this context. Anyway, here are a few general comments. 'friable' I never hear this word spoken, and I very, very rarely read it. 'brittle' Food or bones that is/are easy to break. Dry, not wet. 'crumbly' Food that breaks easily into very small pieces. For bones, too, but only for long-dead bones. 'frail' Not for food. Bones that have no strength, perhaps due to age or disease. Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatsTheDifference/dzjxb/post.htmSun, 22 Mar 2009 13:12:43 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:277968Anonymous3http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatsTheDifference/dzjxb/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-277968.xmlHi! What are the differences between 'friable' , 'brittle' , 'crumbly' and 'frail' ? In which contexts should we use them ? I mean with food...bones...figurative sense... Thanx Kamil