a. Forms: 6 cromely, 7 crumly, 8 crumbley, 7– crumbly. [The 16–17th c. forms crome-ly, crum-ly, imply formation from CRUMB sb. + -LY1; later pronunciation associates it with CRUMBLE v. and -Y.] † a. Crumb-like; in crumbs. b. That crumbles easily; having a tendency to crumble; friable.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 100. It wyll … waxe whyte, and cromely lyke a pomis.
1616. Surflet & Markh., Country Farme, 399. If they find not the earth of their new lodging so light and crumly.
1764. Hadley, in Phil. Trans., LIV. 7. The pitch … was crumbly and soft.
1860. Hawthorne, Marb. Faun, iii. Hewn … out of a dark-red, crumbly stone.
