crumble etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: "crombel," meaning to break into small pieces
  • Anglo-Saxon: "crumbol"
  • Proto-Germanic: "krumbaz"

Meaning:

To break into small, irregular pieces; to fall apart easily.

Origin:

The word "crumble" has its roots in the Proto-Germanic language, where "krumbaz" described the breaking of bread or food into crumbs. Over time, the word evolved into "crombel" in Middle English, which was used to refer to breaking or crumbling any type of substance. The modern spelling, "crumble," emerged in the 16th century.

Usage:

"Crumble" is commonly used to describe:

  • The breaking down of solids into small pieces: "The bread crumbled easily in my hands."
  • The collapse or disintegration of something: "The old building crumbled into dust."
  • The weakening or destruction of something: "His confidence crumbled after the failed interview."
  • The act of preparing a culinary dish by topping it with a mixture of flour, sugar, and butter: "I made an apple crumble for dessert."

crumble relate terms

  • crumb

    Etymology The word crumb derives from the Old English word cruma meaning fragment

  • decay

    Etymology Middle English decaien from Old French decaoir from Latin decadere decide

  • crumple

    Etymology Middle English crumpelen meaning to make or become wrinkled Old English

  • tumble

    Etymology The word tumble is derived from the Middle English word tumblen which is

  • friable

    Etymology Latin friabilis from friare to crumble Proto Indo European bhrey to c

  • change

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It traces words

  • collapse

    Etymology Origin 1620s from French collapser from Medieval Latin collapsus from La

  • rust

    Etymology The word rust comes from the Old English word rust which in turn is derive

  • ware

    Etymology The word ware has roots in several Germanic languages Old English waru m

  • breakdown

    Etymology Break verb Originated from the Old English word brecan meaning to br