adj.
Pronunciation: ' bri-t ə l
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: brit · tler \ ' brit-l ə r, ' bri-t ə l- ə r \ ; brit · tlest \ -l ə st, -t ə l- ə st \
Etymology: Middle English britil; akin to Old English br ē otan to break, Old Norse brj ō ta
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 , 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
synonyms see FRAGILE
– brit · tle · ly \ ' bri-t ə l-(l) ē \ adverb
– brit · tle · ness \ ' bri-t ə l-n ə s \ noun