frangible

[fran-juh-buh l] /ˈfræn dʒə bəl/
adjective
1.
easily broken; breakable:
Most frangible toys are not suitable for young children.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English < Old French, derivative of Latin frangere to break; see -ible
Related forms
frangibility, frangibleness, noun
nonfrangibility, noun
nonfrangible, adjective
Can be confused
frangible, fungible.
Synonyms
fragile, frail.
Examples from the web for frangible
  • frangible bullets are designed to crumble into small pieces on impact with a rigid target or backstop.
  • Breakaway light poles rely on frangible transformer bases to provide the breakaway feature.
  • Lamps and frangible fittings may be obtained from the equipment supplier.
British Dictionary definitions for frangible

frangible

/ˈfrændʒɪbəl/
adjective
1.
breakable or fragile
Derived Forms
frangibility, frangibleness, noun
Word Origin
C15: from Old French, ultimately from Latin frangere to break
Word Origin and History for frangible
adj.

early 15c., from Middle French frangible, from Medieval Latin frangibilis, from Latin frangere "to break" (see fraction).