Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Friable \Fri"a*ble\, a. [L. friabilis, fr. friare to rub, break,
   or crumble into small pieces, cf. fricare to rub, E. fray:
   cf. F. friable.]
   Easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder. ``Friable
   ground.'' --Evelyn. ``Soft and friable texture.'' --Paley. --
   {Fri'a*ble*ness}, n.