English主要词典
brittle
Universal Words
adjective
1 hard but easily broken:
brittle bones / nails * The paint was brittle with age.
2 a brittle mood or state of mind is one that appears to be happy or strong but is actually nervous and easily damaged:
brittle confidence / gaiety * a brittle temperament
3 (of a sound) hard and sharp in an unpleasant way:
a brittle laugh * 'Not at all,' she said in a brittle voice, avoiding his eye.
brittleness noun [U]:
the hardness and brittleness of coal * There was a brittleness to his tone.
