brittle

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brit·tle / ˈbritl/ • adj. hard but liable to break or shatter easily: her bones became fragile and brittle. ∎  (of a sound, esp. a person's voice) unpleasantly hard and sharp and showing signs of instability or nervousness: a brittle laugh. ∎  (of a person or behavior) appearing aggressive or hard but unstable or nervous within: her manner was strained and brittle.• n. a candy made from nuts and set melted sugar: peanut brittle.DERIVATIVES: brit·tle·ly (or brit·tly) adv.brit·tle·ness n.

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