Webster's English Dictionary

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brittle

Cross references:
  1. fragile               
 
1. brit.tle \'brit-*l\ aj [ME britil; akin to OE bre-otan to break, Skt 
   bhru-na e]mbryo 1a: easily broken, cracked, or snapped {~ clay ~ glass}  
   1b: easily disrupted, overthrown, or damaged : FRAIL  1c: requiring careful 
   handling : DIFFICULT {~ personality)> 1d: SHARP, TENSE {~ staccato of snare 
   drums}  2a: PERISHABLE, MORTAL  2b: TRANSITORY, EVANESCENT  3: lacking 
   warmth, depth, or generosity of spirit : COLD  - brit.tle.ness n
2. brittle n : candy made by boiling sugar until it caramelizes, adding 
   nuts, and cooli ng in thin sheets