Main Entry:

¹brit·tle

Pronunciation:

\ˈbri-t^əl\

Function:

adjective

Inflected Form(s):

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

Etymology:

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

Date:

14th century

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, evanescent3: 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

synonyms see fragile

— brit·tle·ly \ˈbri-t^əl-(l)ē\ adverb

— brit·tle·ness \ˈbri-t^əl-nəs\ noun