brittle

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++brit·tle /ˈbrɪtl/ adjective  1  BREAKhard but easily broken 脆的，易碎的 The branches were dry and brittle. 那些树枝又干又脆。 Joanna was diagnosed as having brittle bones. 乔安娜被诊断为骨质疏松。2  DAMAGEa situation, relationship, or feeling that is brittle is easily damaged or destroyed 〔情形、关系或感情〕脆弱的 He spoke with the brittle confidence of someone who, underneath, was very worried. 他说话的时候带着一种一戳击破的自信，因为他内心非常焦虑。3  UNFRIENDLYshowing no warm feelings 冷淡的 a brittle laugh 冷淡的笑

Examples from the Corpus

brittle• Perming makes your hair more brittle.• Relations between the two countries are still very brittle.• The paper was old and brittle.• The thick slash lying everywhere had been packed down, and decay had made it brittle.• The building's electrical wiring was worn and brittle, causing a fire hazard.• The result was a sweaty medley, harsh and brittle on the surface, but cheesy and rotten underneath.• Then the brittle pupal case had cracked at the top, where the adult moth had emerged.• But the comic form he has chosen is too brittle to contain his appalled indignation.Origin brittle (1300-1400) Old English gebryttan “to break into pieces”

brit·tle adjectiveChineseSyllable  

broken but hard easily Corpus

brittle
brit‧tle /ˈbrɪtl/ adjective1. hard but easily broken:
    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.
3. showing no warm feelings:
    a brittle laugh
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ fragile easily broken or damaged: The documents are old and very fragile. | a fragile glass case | The seventeenth century wall hangings are extemely fragile.
   ▪ delicate easily damaged – used especially about things that are made from thin material and look attractive: a delicate gold necklace | The plant has delicate blue flowers. | delicate fabrics
   ▪ brittle brittle hair, nails, bones etc have a hard surface, but they break easily, especially because they are not in good condition: As you get older, your bones become more brittle. | a special shampoo for dry and brittle hair
   ▪ breakable breakable objects must be handled carefully because they will break easily: Put breakable objects out of the reach of children. | breakable ornaments
   ▪ flimsy made of thin material that tears easily, or badly-made and likely to break easily: a flimsy cotton shirt | a flimsy wooden table
   ▪ frail especially literary not strong and therefore easy to break, damage, or hurt: The young trees are frail and need to be protected from the wind. | a frail little fishing boat | a frail old lady

brit·tleBrE /ˈbrɪtl/ 🔊NAmE /ˈbrɪtl/ 🔊 adjectivehard but easily broken 硬但易碎的；脆性的◆brittle bones/nails 易折的骨骼／指甲a brittle mood or state of mind is one that appears to be happy or strong but is actually nervous and easily damaged 脆弱的◆a brittle temperament脆弱的性情(of a sound 声音) hard and sharp in an unpleasant way 尖厉的；刺耳的◆a brittle laugh尖厉的笑声▸ brittle·ness BrE /ˈbrɪtlnəs/ 🔊NAmE /ˈbrɪtlnəs/ 🔊 noun [uncountable]