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brit​tle
adjective
brit·​tle
ˈbri-tᵊl
brit​tler ˈbrit-lər ˈbri-tᵊl-ər ; brit​tlest ˈbrit-ləst ˈbri-tᵊl-əst

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • easily broken, cracked, or snapped //brittle clay //brittle glass
    easily disrupted, overthrown, or damaged frail //a brittle friendship
  • perishable, mortal
    transitory, evanescent
  • easily hurt or offended sensitive //a brittle personality
  • sharp //the brittle staccato of snare drums
  • lacking warmth, depth, or generosity of spirit cold //a brittle selfish person
  • medical affected with or being a form of type 1 diabetes characterized by large and unpredictable fluctuations in blood glucose level
noun

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • a candy made with caramelized sugar and nuts spread in thin sheets //peanut brittle
Other Words
Adjective
  • brit​tle​ly ˈbri-tᵊl-(l)ē adverb
  • brit​tle​ness ˈbri-tᵊl-nəs noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
brickle [dialect] crisp crispy crumbly embrittled flaky (also flakey) friable short
Examples
Adjective
  • //a brittle cracker that turned into crumbs in my pocket
  • //a brittle apology that was anything but heartfelt
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1892, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Middle
true'>, blue jeans cargo pants cords corduroys denims jeans
hose legging (or leggin) sweatpants
pants suit pantsuit
bloomers knee breeches knickerbockers
brit​tle
adjective
brit·​tle
ˈbri-tᵊl
brit​tler ˈbrit-lər ˈbri-tᵊl-ər ; brit​tlest ˈbrit-ləst ˈbri-tᵊl-əst

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • easily broken, cracked, or snapped //brittle clay //brittle glass
    easily disrupted, overthrown, or damaged frail //a brittle friendship
  • perishable, mortal
    transitory, evanescent
  • easily hurt or offended sensitive //a brittle personality
  • sharp //the brittle staccato of snare drums
  • lacking warmth, depth, or generosity of spirit cold //a brittle selfish person
  • medical affected with or being a form of type 1 diabetes characterized by large and unpredictable fluctuations in blood glucose level
noun

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • a candy made with caramelized sugar and nuts spread in thin sheets //peanut brittle
Other Words
Adjective
  • brit​tle​ly ˈbri-tᵊl-(l)ē adverb
  • brit​tle​ness ˈbri-tᵊl-nəs noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Adjective
brickle [dialect] crisp crispy crumbly embrittled flaky (also flakey) friable short
Examples
Adjective
  • //a brittle cracker that turned into crumbs in my pocket
  • //a brittle apology that was anything but heartfelt
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1892, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Middle
identifiable — MW · Shobdo