Brittlely

brit·tle  (brtl)

adj. brit·tler, brit·tlest

1.

a. Likely to break, snap, or crack, as when subjected to pressure: brittle bones.

b. Easily damaged or disrupted; fragile: a brittle friendship. See Synonyms at fragile.

2.

a. Difficult to deal with; snappish: a brittle disposition.

b. Lacking warmth of feeling; cold: a reputation for being brittle and aloof.

3. Brilliantly sharp, as in percussive sound.

4.

a. Perishable.

b. Fleeting; transitory.

n.

A confection of caramelized sugar to which nuts are added: walnut brittle.

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[Middle English britel, probably from Old English *brytel, from bryttian, to shatter.]

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brittle·ly (brtl-) adv.

brittle·ness n.