Adjective: brittle (brittler,brittlest) bri-t(u)l
- Having little elasticity; hence easily cracked, fractured or snapped
"brittle bones"; "glass is brittle";
- brickle, brickly
- (of metal or glass) not annealed and consequently easily cracked or fractured
"The brittle glass shattered upon impact";
- unannealed
- Lacking warmth and generosity of spirit
"a brittle and calculating woman"
- Caramelized sugar cooled in thin sheets
"She broke off a piece of brittle and savoured its sweet, buttery flavour";
- toffee, toffy
Derived forms: brittlest, brittles, brittler
See also: breakable, coldhearted, unhardened, untempered
Type of: candy, confect, lolly [Austral, NZ], sweet [Brit], sweetie [Brit, informal]
Encyclopedia: Brittle