fragility
UK[frəˈdʒɪləti]US[frəˈdʒɪləti]
n
the quality of being easily broken, damaged, or destroyed.
n
the quality of being weak, uncertain, or easily upset.
Morpheme Breakdown
fragil
ity
fragil
breakable
ity
state or quality
Etymology
the word fragility traces its lineage to the latin adjective 'fragilis', meaning 'easily broken'. this, in turn, derives from the latin verb 'frangere', 'to break', a verb with deep proto-indo-european roots related to breaking. the suffix '-ity', from latin '-itas', was attached to form the abstract noun denoting the state or quality of being breakable. thus, the literal sense of "the condition of being easily broken" evolved naturally to encompass more abstract forms of weakness, such as emotional or systemic vulnerability.
Analysis
Structure: fragil (breakable) + ity (state or quality)
fragil is from latin 'fragilis', meaning 'easily broken'. ity is a noun-forming suffix from latin '-itas', indicating a state or condition.
Examples
the fragility of the ancient vase required extreme care during transport.
economic fragility has made the country susceptible to global shocks.
he hid his emotional fragility behind a facade of confidence.