Hypertext Webster Gateway: "crumble"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Crumble \Crum"ble\ (kr?m"b'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Crumbled}
(-b'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Crumbling} (-bl?ng).] [Dim. of
crumb, v. t., akin to D. krimelen G. kr?meln.]
To break into small pieces; to cause to fall in pieces.
He with his bare wand can unthread thy joints, And
crumble all thy sinews. --Milton.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Crumble \Crum"ble\, v. i.
To fall into small pieces; to break or part into small
fragments; hence, to fall to decay or ruin; to become
disintegrated; to perish.
If the stone is brittle, it will crumble and pass into
the form of gravel. --Arbuthnot.
The league deprived of its principal supports must soon
crumble to pieces. --Prescott.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
crumble
v 1: fall apart; also used metaphorically: "Negociations broke
down" [syn: {crumple}, {tumble}, {break down}, {collapse}]
2: break or fall apart into fragments; "The cookies crumbled";
"The Sphinx is crumbling" [syn: {fall apart}]
3: fall into decay or ruin; "The unoccupied house started to
decay" [syn: {decay}, {delapidate}]
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