Crumble — Defs

01 v. t. To break into small pieces; to cause to fall in pieces.

imp. & p. p. Crumbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Crumbling

1.
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.

02 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.

1.
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.