Brittle Meaning and Definition
Brittle
Pronunciation
/ˈbrɪtəl/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A type of brittle or fragile material, object, or situation that is prone to breaking or shattering, often fragile or delicate and easily damaged.
Examples
- The ancient vase was made of brittle glass and easily shattered.
- The athlete’s brittle bones made him more susceptible to injuries.
Synonyms
- Fragile
- Dainty
- Weakened
Antonyms
- Strong
- Sturdy
- Robust
Additional Information
Brittle materials are often prone to sudden and catastrophic failure due to their rigid or non-elastic properties. In geology, the term “brittle” refers to the earth’s crust, which is prone to fracturing and cracking due to tectonic forces. In psychology, “brittle” can describe a personality that is fragile and easily affected by stress or criticism.
Etymology
The word “brittle” comes from the Old French “brittel”, meaning “weak” or “fragile”, ultimately derived from the Latin “frigidus”, meaning “cold” or “rigid”.
Usage Notes
The word “brittle” is often used in contrast to “strong” or “resilient”, emphasizing the fragility or weakness of a material, object, or situation. However, it’s important to note that the term “brittle” can also be used to describe something that is prone to breaking or shattering due to internal weaknesses or stresses.
Cultural References
The term “brittle” has been used in various cultural contexts, including literature, music, and film. For example, in Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”, the character Ophelia describes her fragile and brittle nature when she says, “I’m brittle as a leaf, and mortal as a flower”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
The word “brittle” is sometimes used in idiomatic expressions, such as “brittle ego” or “brittle nerves”, to describe someone’s fragile emotional state.
Related Words or Phrases
Other words and phrases that are closely related to “brittle” include “fragile”, “delicate”, “dainty”, and “weak”.
Collocations
Common collocations with the word “brittle” include “brittle bone”, “brittle glass”, “brittle minds”, and “brittle relationships”.
Frequency of Use
The word “brittle” is relatively uncommon in everyday language, but it is often used in technical, scientific, and cultural contexts to describe fragile or delicate materials, objects, or situations.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of the word “brittle” include “britle”, “britill”, and “brittel”.