brittle

brittle, fragile, frail

这些形容词都含有“易碎的”之意。
brittle: 指没有弹性或伸缩性的脆性材料，暗示受压或被扭曲时易碎。
fragile: 除指易碎外，还指人身体虚弱，动辄就得病。
frail: 多指人体虚弱，也指某物不耐用，易碎易损。

名词 brittle:

1. caramelized sugar cooled in thin sheets
   同义词：toffee, toffy

形容词 brittle:

1. having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped
   同义词：brickle, brickly
2. lacking warmth and generosity of spirit
3. (of metal or glass) not annealed and consequently easily cracked or fractured
   同义词：unannealed

1. A glazed, brittle biscuit that is salted on the outside and usually baked in the form of a loose knot or a stick.
   椒盐卷饼外表面加盐，浇过糖浆的脆饼，常打成松散的节状或棍状后烧烤
2. A brittle, flat piece of unleavened bread, eaten especially during Passover.
   未发酵的面包一种犹太人过逾越节时吃的干脆未发酵的面包
3. He has a brittle temper.
   他脾气急。
4. Constant stress has made our nerves brittle.
   我们长期处于紧张状态，神经已经吃不消了。

brit.tle

adj.（形容词）
brit.tler,brit.tlest

Likely to break, snap, or crack, as when subjected to pressure:
易碎的：如受压后可能打碎、断裂或打破的：
例句：
brittle bones.
易碎的骨头

Easily disrupted:
易破裂的：
例句：
a brittle relationship between husband and wife.See Synonyms at fragile
容易破裂的夫妻关系参见 fragile

Difficult to deal with; snappish:
难以相处的；尖刻暴躁的：
例句：
a brittle disposition.
难以相处的性情

Lacking warmth of feeling; cold:
冷淡的：缺乏温情的；冷淡的：
例句：
The duchess, though well-known as a society hostess, conveyed an unmistakably brittle air.
公爵夫人虽然是有名的社交界女主人，却明显流露出冷冰冰的表情

Brilliantly sharp, as in percussive sound.
尖利的，如打击乐声

Perishable.
终有一死的
Fleeting; transitory.
短暂的；一闪即逝的
n.（名词）
A confection of caramelized sugar to which nuts are added:
果仁薄脆糖：坚果加于熔焦的糖上而制成的甜食：
例句：
walnut brittle.
核桃薄脆糖

来源：
Middle English britel
中古英语 britel
probably from Old English *brytel
可能源自 古英语 *brytel
from bryttian [to shatter]
源自 bryttian [砸碎]

【引伸】
brit.tlely
brit.tleness
n.（名词）