brittle

¹brit·tle

adjective \ˈbri-t^əl\

brit·tler \ˈbrit-lər, ˈbri-t^əl-ər\ brit·tlest \-ləst, -t^əl-əst\

Definition of BRITTLE

1

a : easily broken, cracked, or snapped <brittle clay> <brittle glass>

b : easily disrupted, overthrown, or damaged : frail <a brittle friendship>

2

a : perishable, mortal

b : transitory, evanescent

3

: easily hurt or offended : sensitive <a brittle personality>

4

: sharp <the brittle staccato of snare drums>

5

: lacking warmth, depth, or generosity of spirit : cold <a brittle selfish person>

6

: affected with or being a form of type 1 diabetes characterized by large and unpredictable fluctuations in blood glucose level

— brit·tle·ly \ˈbri-t^əl-(l)ē\ adverb

— brit·tle·ness \ˈbri-t^əl-nəs\ noun

Examples of BRITTLE

1. <a brittle cracker that turned into crumbs in my pocket>
2. <a brittle apology that was anything but heartfelt>

Origin of BRITTLE

Middle English britil; akin to Old English brēotan to break, Old Norse brjōta

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BRITTLE

Synonyms

brickle [dialect], crisp, crispy, crumbly, embrittled, flaky (also flakey), friable, short

Antonyms

cordial, friendly, genial, happy, hearty, sympathetic, warm, warm-blooded, warmhearted

Related Words

crackly, crisped, crispened, crunchy, crusty; breakable, delicate, fragile

Near Antonyms

elastic, flexible, pliable, pliant, resilient; strong, sturdy, tough

See Synonym Discussion at fragile

Rhymes with BRITTLE

kittle, little, skittle, spital, spittle, tittle, victual, whittle, wittol

²brittle

noun

Definition of BRITTLE

: a candy made with caramelized sugar and nuts spread in thin sheets <peanut brittle>

First Known Use of BRITTLE

1913

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Rhymes with BRITTLE

kittle, little, victual, whittle

brit·tle

adjective \ˈbrit-^əl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BRITTLE

: affected with or being a form of type 1 diabetes characterized by large and unpredictable fluctuations in blood glucose level <brittle diabetes> <a brittle diabetic>