brittle etymology

Etymology:

• Old English brytta ("breakable, frail")
• Proto-West Germanic *brittilaz
• Proto-Germanic *brițulaz
• Proto-Indo-European *bhrēdu- ("to break")

Meaning:

• Easily broken or shattered
• Lacking strength or durability
• Figuratively: easily damaged or upset

Origin:

The word "brittle" originated in Old English, where it referred to something that was breakable or frail. The word likely derives from the Proto-West Germanic root *brittilaz, which itself is believed to come from the Proto-Germanic root ***brițulaz**. This root is also found in other Germanic languages, such as German "brüchig" and Dutch "broos".

The ultimate origin of the root *brițulaz is believed to be the Proto-Indo-European root ***bhrēdu-**, which means "to break". This root is also found in other Indo-European languages, such as Sanskrit "bhur" and Greek "phrassein".

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