hard but easily broken 硬但易碎的；脆性的 brittle bones/nails 易折的骨骼／指甲 The paint was brittle with age. 随着时间的推移，油漆变脆了。 She had thin, brittle, permed hair. 她的头发细而脆，而且烫过。
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 ‘Not at all,’ she said in a brittle voice, avoiding his eye. “一点也不，”她避开他的目光，用虚弱的声音说道。
Word Originlate Middle English, ultimately of Germanic origin and related to Old English brēotan ‘break up’.