/ ˈbrɪtl; NAmE / adjective
1.
hard but easily broken :
brittle bones / nails
2.
a brittle mood or state of mind is one that appears to be happy or strong but is actually nervous and easily damaged :
a brittle temperament
3.
( of a sound ) hard and sharp in an unpleasant way :
a brittle laugh
► brittle·ness noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English , ultimately of Germanic origin and related to Old English brēotan break up .