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Added 9 October 2026

brittle

/ˈbɹɪtəl/ noun

In Latin: fragōsus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about brittle at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Caramelized sugar cooled in thin sheets.

adjective

Having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped.
brittle bones
Lacking warmth and generosity of spirit.
a brittle and calculating woman
(of metal or glass) not annealed and consequently easily cracked or fractured.

Origin

From Middle English britel, brutel, brotel (“brittle”), from Old English *brytel, *bryttol (“brittle, fragile”, literally “prone to or tending to break”); equivalent to brit + -le.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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