frail

/freil/
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frail

An elderly woman holds a frail teacup with great care.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Physically weak or delicate: Describes a person or thing that is not strong, is easily broken, or is in poor health.
    • Morally or emotionally weak: Describes a person who lacks strength of character, willpower, or resistance to temptation.
    • Easily damaged or insubstantial: Describes something that is fragile, flimsy, or not durable.

  2. Noun:

    • A basket for holding dried fruit: A specific type of basket, traditionally used for items like raisins or figs.
    • A unit of weight: A measure of weight for dried fruit, equivalent to the amount a frail basket holds (historically between 50 and 75 pounds).
Usage Examples

  • Adjective:

    • After her illness, she was too frail to leave the house. (Describing physical weakness)
    • The bridge looked frail and unsafe. (Describing structural fragility)
    • He admitted to being frail and giving in to peer pressure. (Describing moral weakness)

  • Noun:

    • The merchant sold raisins by the frail. (Referring to the unit of weight)
    • She carried a frail full of figs to the market. (Referring to the basket)
Advanced Usage
  • "the frailties of human nature": This phrase refers to the inherent moral and physical weaknesses shared by all people.
    • The novel explores the frailties of human nature.
  • Used in a literary or philosophical context to contrast human weakness with concepts of divinity, perfection, or strength.
    • We must forgive the frailties of our fellow men.
Variants and Related Words
  • Frailty (noun): The condition of being frail, weak, or delicate.
    • Old age is often accompanied by frailty.
  • Frailness (noun): A less common synonym for frailty.
Synonyms
  • Adjective (Physical): Fragile, delicate, weak, feeble, infirm, flimsy.
  • Adjective (Moral): Weak-willed, susceptible, fallible.
  • Noun (Basket): Hamper, pannier.
Antonyms
  • Adjective: Strong, sturdy, robust, resilient, tough.
Related Phrases
  • "Frail craft": Often used to describe a small, fragile boat or vessel.
    • They crossed the lake in a frail craft.
  • "Frail happiness": Describes a state of joy that is delicate and easily lost.
    • They clung to their frail happiness in difficult times.
frail

An elderly woman holds a frail teacup with great care.

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

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