Frailty
/ˈfreɪlti/noun
The state of being weak, delicate, or easily broken.
Did you know?Frailty comes through Old French from Latin roots tied to breaking, which is why English pairs it with vulnerability rather than just softness.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
fragilis
“easily broken”
Late Latin
Latin
fragilitas
“brittleness, weakness”
Old French
Old French
fraileté
“frailty, weakness”
Middle English
English
frailte
“weakness, feebleness”
Modern English
English
frailty
“weakness or delicacy of body, mind, or character”