Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - fragile

 adjective  Etymology: Middle French, from Latin fragilis — more at frail  Date: 1521  1.  a. easily broken or destroyed a ~ vase  b. constitutionally delicate ; lacking in vigor a ~ child  2. tenuous, slight ~ hope  • fragility noun Synonyms:  ~, frangible, brittle, crisp, friable mean breaking easily. ~ implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling a ~ antique chair. frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy frangible stone used for paving. brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness brittle bones. crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods crisp lettuce. friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized friable soil.  Synonym: see in addition weak.