brittle
UK: /ˈbrɪt(ə)l/ | US: /ˈbrɪt(ə)l/
adj. easily broken or cracked; fragile
adj. lacking warmth or emotional depth; cold
adj. (of sound) hard and sharp in tone
brittle = britt<to break> + le<adjective suffix>
- britt (from Old English bryttian, meaning "to break" or "to shatter")
- le (a common English adjectival suffix indicating tendency or capacity)
Etymology Origin:
The word "brittle" traces back to Old English bryttian ("to break"), reflecting its core meaning of fragility. Over time, the suffix -le was added to form an adjective describing things prone to breaking. The term later expanded metaphorically to describe unemotional personalities or harsh sounds, linking physical fragility to abstract qualities.
The brittle branches snapped under the weight of the snow.
Her brittle laughter revealed her nervousness.
Handle the antique vase carefully—it’s very brittle.
His brittle demeanor made it hard to connect with him.
The dry leaves made a brittle sound as we walked through them.