brittleness

UK:^*^*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈbrɪt^əlnɪs/

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

brittleness /ˈbrɪt^əlnɪs/ n

the quality of being brittle
the tendency of a metal to break without being significantly distorted or exposed to a high level of stress
Compare toughness, softness

brit•tle /ˈbrɪtəl/USA pronunciation adj., -tler, -tlest, n.
adj.

having hardness and stiffness but breaking easily;
easily damaged;
frail:brittle icicles.
having a sharp, tense quality;
lacking friendliness;
cold: a brittle tone of voice.

a kind of candy made of melted sugar, usually with nuts, brittle when cooled: She made peanut brittle.

brit•tle•ness, n. [uncountable]

brit•tle (brit′l),USA pronunciation adj., -tler, -tlest, n., v., -tled, -tling.
adj.

having hardness and rigidity but little tensile strength;
breaking readily with a comparatively smooth fracture, as glass.
easily damaged or destroyed;
fragile;
frail:a brittle marriage.
lacking warmth, sensitivity, or compassion;
aloof;
self-centered:a self-possessed, cool, and rather brittle person.
having a sharp, tense quality:a brittle tone of voice.
unstable or impermanent;
evanescent.

a confection of melted sugar, usually with nuts, brittle when cooled:peanut brittle.

v.i.

Middle English britel, equivalent. to brit- (akin to Old English brysten fragment) + -el adjective, adjectival suffix 1350–1400

brit′tle•ness, n.

frail

'brittleness' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "brittleness" in the title:

Go to Preferences page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks.

URL: https://www.wordreference.com/definition/brittleness