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Brittleness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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brittleness

[ˈbrɪtəl.nəs ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

material quality

Brittleness refers to the tendency of a material to fracture or break easily without significant deformation when subjected to stress. It is a physical property that contrasts with ductility, where materials can undergo considerable plastic deformation before breaking. Brittle materials may shatter or crack under impact or tension, leading to potential structural failures in engineering applications.

Synonyms

breakability, crumbliness, fragility.

Examples of usage

  • Glass exhibits high brittleness, making it prone to shattering.
  • The brittleness of cast iron limits its use in certain applications.
  • Cold temperatures can increase the brittleness of metals.
  • Materials with high brittleness often need careful handling.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In materials science, brittleness is measured by how a material breaks without deforming first.
  • Brittleness is often associated with covalent bonded materials, which tend to shatter under stress.
  • Common brittle materials include glass, ceramics, and certain metals when cooled quickly.

Everyday Life

  • Brittle items like candy (think of hard candy) can break easily when bitten, unlike chewy candies.
  • When you leave a plastic bottle in the sun too long, it gets brittle and may break much easier.
  • A frozen food item may become brittle and shatter when dropped, illustrating the idea of brittleness.

Psychology

  • In psychology, a 'brittle personality' refers to someone who is sensitive and easily hurt, lacking resilience.
  • People with brittle emotional states might react strongly to criticism, similar to how a brittle material responds to stress.

Literature

  • Authors sometimes use the concept of brittleness to symbolize fragility in characters or relationships.
  • In poetry, the imagery of brittle leaves can reflect themes of autumn and change, echoing life's transience.

Origin of 'brittleness'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Middle English 'brittlenesse', which means fragility or delicateness.
  • It is derived from the word 'brittle', which has Old English roots meaning 'broken'.

The term 'brittleness' is derived from the root word 'brittle,' which comes from the Old English 'britt' meaning fragile or brittle combined with the suffix '-ness' signifying a state or quality. The concept has been pivotal in materials science since the 19th century, distinguishing between mechanical properties that affect how materials behave under stress. Understanding brittleness is essential for various engineering applications, such as construction or manufacturing, since brittle failure can lead to catastrophic results. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass not only physical materials but also metaphorically describe delicate emotional states or relationships, illustrating its versatile usage in the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,694, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.