Brittleness is a hard word. It means something is easy to break. Think of a dry cookie. If you push it, it breaks. That is brittleness.
When we say something has brittleness, it means it is not flexible. Glass has high brittleness. If you drop it, it breaks. It does not bend.
Brittleness is a noun. It describes materials that break instead of bending. We also use it to talk about systems. If a plan has brittleness, it will fail if one small thing changes.
The term brittleness is used in both science and daily life. In engineering, it refers to a material's failure mode. In psychology, it describes a person who cannot handle stress without 'snapping' or becoming overwhelmed.
Brittleness denotes a lack of ductility or resilience. In academic writing, it is often contrasted with 'toughness' or 'malleability.' It serves as a powerful metaphor for rigid socio-political structures that lack the capacity to evolve under external pressure.
Etymologically, brittleness captures the essence of fracture. It implies a state where the internal integrity of an object or system is compromised by its inability to absorb energy through deformation. Its usage spans from the metallurgical study of alloys to the philosophical critique of rigid ideologies that inevitably fracture when confronted with the complexities of reality.
brittleness 30초 만에
- Brittleness is the tendency to break or snap under stress.
- It is an uncountable noun describing physical or abstract states.
- It is the opposite of flexibility and ductility.
- It is commonly used in science, engineering, and metaphorical contexts.
Hey there! Let's talk about brittleness. At its core, this word describes things that are stiff and rigid. Think of a dry twig or a pane of glass; they don't like to bend. If you try to force them, they just give up and snap.
In the physical world, we use this to describe materials that lack ductility. That is just a fancy way of saying they can't change shape without breaking. It is the opposite of being flexible or elastic.
But wait, there is more! We also use it metaphorically. If someone has a 'brittleness' in their personality, it means they might be prone to snapping or breaking down under pressure. It is a great word for describing systems—like a computer program—that fail completely when something goes wrong instead of adapting.
The word brittleness comes from the Middle English word britel, which meant 'fragile.' It is rooted in the Old English word breotan, which means 'to break' or 'to crush.'
It is fascinating how this connects to other Germanic languages. For instance, it shares a common ancestor with the Old Norse brjóta. Over centuries, the suffix '-ness' was added to turn the adjective 'brittle' into the noun form we use today.
Historically, this word was heavily used in metallurgy and craft. Blacksmiths had to understand the brittleness of iron—if it was too brittle, a sword would shatter in battle! Today, we still use it in engineering, but we have expanded its reach into our daily language to describe everything from mental health to fragile economic systems.
You will find brittleness used most often in scientific or technical contexts. Engineers talk about the brittleness of steel, and geologists discuss the brittleness of rocks under high pressure.
However, don't be afraid to use it in casual conversation! You might say, 'The brittleness of our current schedule is making me nervous,' meaning the plan is so rigid that one small change will cause the whole thing to fall apart.
Common collocations include 'structural brittleness,' 'material brittleness,' and 'emotional brittleness.' It is a fairly formal word, so you might not hear it at a casual party, but it is perfect for writing essays, reports, or discussing complex systems.
While there aren't many idioms that use the exact word 'brittleness,' it is closely linked to phrases about fragility. 1. Walking on eggshells: This describes a situation where you must be careful because the environment is 'brittle' and could break at any moment. 2. A house of cards: Refers to a system with extreme brittleness that will collapse if one part is touched. 3. Snap like a twig: Used to describe someone or something that breaks under pressure. 4. Fragile as glass: A direct comparison to the physical property of brittleness. 5. Break under pressure: Often used when a person's 'brittleness' is tested by stress.
Brittleness is an uncountable noun. You don't usually talk about 'a brittleness' or 'brittlenesses.' It is a singular concept that describes a state of being.
The pronunciation is straightforward: brit-tl-ness. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like 'fitness,' 'witness,' and 'sickness.' In the US, the 't' sounds are often soft, while in the UK, they might be more crisp.
When using it in a sentence, it often follows a preposition like 'of.' For example, 'The brittleness of the plastic was unexpected.' Remember, because it is an abstract noun, it usually takes a singular verb.
재미있는 사실
The word is related to the Old English 'breotan', which is also a distant cousin of the word 'break'.
발음 가이드
- Missing the double 't'
- Pronouncing it like 'brittle-ness' with a hard pause
- Swallowing the 'ness' sound
난이도
Easy to understand once defined.
Requires context for correct usage.
Good for academic/formal talk.
Clear pronunciation.
다음에 무엇을 배울까
선수 학습
다음에 배울 것
고급
알아야 할 문법
Uncountable Nouns
Brittleness is...
Noun Suffixes
-ness
Adjective-Noun Agreement
The brittle glass.
수준별 예문
The cookie has brittleness.
The cookie breaks easily.
Noun usage.
Glass has brittleness.
Glass breaks when dropped.
Simple subject.
The stick is brittle.
The stick breaks.
Adjective form.
Do not break it.
Be careful.
Imperative.
It is very dry.
Dry things are brittle.
State of being.
It snaps easily.
It breaks fast.
Adverb usage.
Be careful now.
Watch out.
Warning.
It is not strong.
It is weak.
Negative structure.
The brittleness of the ice made walking dangerous.
Be careful, that vase has high brittleness.
The dry leaves showed their brittleness.
He noticed the brittleness of the old paper.
The material's brittleness caused it to shatter.
She warned me about the brittleness of the glass.
The cold weather increased the brittleness of the metal.
Don't bend it, because of its brittleness.
Engineers must test for brittleness in new materials.
The brittleness of his temper was well known.
We need to avoid the brittleness of such a rigid plan.
The brittleness of the plastic made it unsuitable for the project.
Her voice had a certain brittleness when she spoke of the past.
The brittleness of the alliance led to its collapse.
Structural brittleness is a major concern in construction.
He was worried about the brittleness of the economic system.
The brittleness of the ceramic tiles was evident upon impact.
There is a growing brittleness in the company's organizational structure.
The brittleness of the peace treaty was clear to all diplomats.
We must address the brittleness of our supply chain.
His emotional brittleness made him difficult to work with.
The brittleness of the argument meant it couldn't survive scrutiny.
She criticized the brittleness of the modern educational system.
The alloy's brittleness was reduced through heat treatment.
The inherent brittleness of the material makes it prone to catastrophic failure.
The political climate displayed a dangerous brittleness during the crisis.
One must account for the brittleness of the glass-like components.
The brittleness of the legal framework prevented necessary reforms.
His writing style possessed a stark, intellectual brittleness.
The brittleness of the old foundations caused the wall to crack.
They analyzed the brittleness of the polymer under extreme cold.
The brittleness of the coalition was its ultimate undoing.
The profound brittleness of the regime became apparent during the protests.
The architect warned of the brittleness of the proposed structural glass.
The brittleness of his psyche was a result of years of isolation.
The study examined the brittleness of the crust in seismic zones.
The brittleness of the narrative structure mirrored the protagonist's decline.
The brittleness of the social contract led to widespread unrest.
The metallurgical report highlighted the brittleness of the steel beam.
The brittleness of the consensus was shattered by the new evidence.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
관용어 및 표현
"break under pressure"
To fail when stressed.
He started to break under pressure.
neutral"walk on eggshells"
To act carefully to avoid a bad reaction.
I feel like I'm walking on eggshells.
casual"house of cards"
A weak structure that will fail.
Their plan is a house of cards.
neutral"snap like a twig"
To break easily.
The old branch snapped like a twig.
casual"fragile as glass"
Very easy to break.
His ego is as fragile as glass.
neutral"on the verge of collapse"
Very close to breaking.
The system is on the verge of collapse.
formal혼동하기 쉬운
Both mean easy to break.
Fragility is broader; brittleness is specific to snapping.
A flower is fragile; glass is brittle.
Both imply lack of bending.
Rigidity is about stiffness; brittleness is about breaking.
A steel bar has rigidity; a glass rod has brittleness.
Both are negative traits.
Weakness is lack of strength; brittleness is lack of flexibility.
A thin rope has weakness; a dry branch has brittleness.
Often associated with brittle things.
Hardness is resistance to scratching; brittleness is resistance to bending.
Diamond has hardness; glass has brittleness.
문장 패턴
The brittleness of [noun] is [adjective].
The brittleness of the ice is dangerous.
[Noun] shows signs of brittleness.
The metal shows signs of brittleness.
We must reduce the brittleness of [noun].
We must reduce the brittleness of the design.
Due to its brittleness, [noun] [verb].
Due to its brittleness, the glass shattered.
The brittleness caused [noun] to [verb].
The brittleness caused the beam to snap.
어휘 가족
명사
동사
형용사
관련
사용법
6
-
Using 'brittleness' as a countable noun (e.g., 'a brittleness').
→
Use it as an uncountable noun.
It describes a state, not an object.
-
Confusing 'brittleness' with 'fragility'.
→
Understand the nuance.
Brittleness is specifically about breaking under stress; fragility is broader.
-
Using 'brittle' as a noun.
→
Use 'brittleness'.
Brittle is an adjective.
-
Spelling it 'britleness'.
→
Brittleness.
Double 't'.
-
Using it to describe something that is just soft.
→
Use it for things that snap.
Brittleness implies hardness + snapping.
팁
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a brittle cookie in your kitchen.
When Native Speakers Use It
When discussing material science or rigid plans.
Cultural Insight
Often used in metaphors for 'breaking down'.
Grammar Shortcut
Always treat it as singular.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'brit-tl' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a plural.
Did You Know?
It comes from Old English 'breotan'.
Study Smart
Pair it with 'ductility' to learn both.
Writing Tip
Use it to describe complex systems.
Speaking Tip
Use it when explaining why something broke.
암기하기
기억법
BRIT-tle: A BRITish person who is too stiff to bend!
시각적 연상
A piece of dry toast snapping in half.
Word Web
챌린지
Find three things in your house that have brittleness.
어원
Middle English
원래 의미: Fragile
문화적 맥락
None, but can be sensitive when applied to people's mental health.
Used often in science class and in metaphorical business discussions.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
Science Lab
- test for brittleness
- measure brittleness
- high brittleness level
Construction
- structural brittleness
- avoid brittleness
- brittleness in concrete
Psychology
- emotional brittleness
- signs of brittleness
- mental brittleness
Business
- system brittleness
- brittleness of the strategy
- reduce brittleness
대화 시작하기
"What is the most brittle thing you have ever broken?"
"Do you think your schedule has any brittleness?"
"How can we make our plans less brittle?"
"Why do you think some people are more emotionally brittle than others?"
"Can you think of a material that is not brittle at all?"
일기 주제
Describe a time you felt 'brittle' under pressure.
Write about a system or rule that was too brittle and failed.
Compare the concepts of flexibility and brittleness.
How do you handle situations that require you to be less brittle?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문Not exactly. Something can be strong but still brittle, like glass.
Yes, metaphorically, if they are rigid and snap under pressure.
Usually through heat treatment or adding flexible materials.
It is common in technical fields but less so in daily slang.
Yes, it does!
No, it is uncountable.
Flexibility or ductility.
Usually, yes, as it implies a lack of durability.
셀프 테스트
The glass has high ___.
Glass breaks easily.
What does brittleness mean?
Brittleness means it snaps.
Brittleness is a countable noun.
It is uncountable.
Word
뜻
Correct parts of speech.
Subject-verb-adjective.
점수: /5
Summary
Brittleness is the quality of being stiff and prone to snapping rather than bending.
- Brittleness is the tendency to break or snap under stress.
- It is an uncountable noun describing physical or abstract states.
- It is the opposite of flexibility and ductility.
- It is commonly used in science, engineering, and metaphorical contexts.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a brittle cookie in your kitchen.
When Native Speakers Use It
When discussing material science or rigid plans.
Cultural Insight
Often used in metaphors for 'breaking down'.
Grammar Shortcut
Always treat it as singular.
예시
The brittleness of the dry leaves made them crunch loudly under my feet.
관련 콘텐츠
Science 관련 단어
abbioly
C1무생물 시스템에서 생명체와 유사한 패턴을 직관적으로 인식하거나 비표준적인 생물학적 구조를 연구하는 것을 의미합니다.
abcapal
C1실험실에서 민감한 샘플을 분리하고 오염을 방지하기 위해 사용되는 특수 보호막이나 밀봉재를 말해요. 정밀한 차단막 역할을 해요.
abheredcy
C1To deviate or drift away from a prescribed standard, rule, or physical path, particularly while ostensibly trying to maintain a connection to it. It describes the act of subtle or unintentional departure from a strict protocol or alignment.
abhydrible
C1화학적으로 물을 흡수하지 않으며, 건조 후 다시 수분을 머금지 않는 물질을 말합니다.
ablabive
C1ablabive는 녹거나 증발하거나 외과적으로 제거하는 등 물질을 제거하는 것과 관련이 있어요.
abphobency
C1The characteristic or property of a surface or material that causes it to repel or resist substances like water, oil, or contaminants. It describes the physical state of being repellent rather than absorbent, often used in technical discussions about coatings.
abphotoion
C1To remove or displace an ion from a molecular structure using concentrated light energy or radiation. It is a specialized term used in advanced physics and chemical engineering to describe the precise detachment of particles via photon interaction.
abpulssion
C1The forceful driving away or outward thrust of a substance or object from a specific source. It is often used in technical or scientific contexts to describe the sudden rejection of a component or the mechanical discharge of energy.
absorption
B2액체를 빨아들이는 것, 또는 어떤 일에 완전히 몰두해서 다른 걸 잊어버린 상태를 말해.
abvincfy
C1To systematically isolate or decouple a specific component or variable from a larger, complex system in order to study it independently. This term is often used in experimental design or technical analysis to describe the process of removing confounding influences.
