frail

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun the weight of a frail (basket) full of raisins or figs; between 50 and 75 pounds
noun a basket for holding dried fruit (especially raisins or figs)
adjective physically weak

From Middle English frele, fraill, from Old French fraile, from Latin fragilis. Cognate to fraction, fracture, and doublet of fragile.

“They seem so helpless and frail. — The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
And what noise around our frail bark! — Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, Jules Verne
They played havoc with the frail canoes. — South American Fights and Fighters, and Other Tales of Adventure, Cyrus Townsend Brady

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