Crumble

[imp. & p. p. CRUMBLED; p. pr. & vb. n. CRUMBLING.] [Diminutive of crumb, v. t.; D. kruimelen, L. Ger. krōmeln, H. Ger. krūmeln.] To break into small pieces; to divide into minute parts.

Flesh is the glass which holds the dust That measures all our time, which also shall Be crumbled into dust. Herbert.

v. i. To fall into small pieces; to break or part into small fragments; hence, to fall to decay; to perish.

If the stone is brittle, it will crumble and pass into the form of gravel. Arbuthnot.

The league deprived of its principal supporters must soon crumble to pieces. Prescott.