verb / noun
crumble
KRUM-buhl/ˈkrʌmbl/
To break into small loose pieces.
The dry cookie crumbles into tiny pieces in my hand.
Etymology
Middle English kremelen meant “to break into small fragments” and is thought to continue a repeated-action formation related to crumb. The meaning extended from breaking something into pieces to its falling apart.
In context
investors once eager to be part of Holmes's Revolution were now scrambling to distance themselves from the Scandal the House of Cards Holmes had so carefully constructed was beginning to crumble
More examples
- Crumble the cheese over the salad.
- The old mortar crumbles when I touch it.
- Their plans crumble when the funding disappears.
Forms
crumble · crumbles · crumbled · crumbling
crumb noun — A small piece of bread or cake.
crumbly adjective — Easily broken into small, loose pieces.
Similar words
- disintegrate
- Suggests more complete breakdown, often into very fine particles.
- flake
- Means breaking off in thin, flat pieces rather than crumbs.