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.
Frail, a. [Compar.
Frailer (?); superl. Frailest.] [OE.
frele, freile, OF. fraile, frele, F.
frêle, 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.
