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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | gebryttan 'to break into pieces' |
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brit‧tle
1 hard but easily broken : 
The branches were dry and brittle.Joanna was diagnosed as having brittle bones.
The branches were dry and brittle.Joanna was diagnosed as having brittle bones.2 a situation, relationship, or feeling that is brittle is easily damaged or destroyed : He spoke with the brittle confidence of someone who, underneath, was very worried.
He spoke with the brittle confidence of someone who, underneath, was very worried.3 showing no warm feelings : a brittle laugh
a brittle laughWORD FOCUS: hard WORD FOCUS: hard 
hard and not bending: solid, firm, stiff, rigid
meat that is too hard: tough
skin that is old and hard: leathery, calloused
hard and easily broken: brittle
➔ See also hard
WORD FOCUS: hard hard and not bending: solid, firm, stiff, rigid
meat that is too hard: tough
skin that is old and hard: leathery, calloused
hard and easily broken: brittle
➔ See also hard
