Frail (?), n. [OE. fraiel, fraile, OF. fraiel, freel, frael, fr. LL. fraellum.]

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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Frail, a. [Compar. Frailer (?); superl. Frailest.] [OE. frele, freile, OF. fraile, frele, F. frele, fr. L. fragilis. See Fragile.]

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.