I. ˈbri-t ə l adjective
( brit·tler ˈbrit-lər, ˈbri-t ə l-ər ; brit·tlest -ləst, -t ə l-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 , 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 ˈbri-t ə l-(l)ē adverb
• brit·tle·ness ˈbri-t ə l-nəs noun
II. noun
Date: 1913
: a candy made with caramelized sugar and nuts spread in thin sheets
peanut brittle