a. Obs. exc. dial. Forms: 3 bruchel, 8–9 (dial.) britchel. [ME. bruchel (ü):—OE. brycel; cf. BRICKLE.] Liable to break; brittle.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 164. Þis bruchele uetles is bruchelure þene beo eni gles.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 13. Hwen þu hare liflade i þi bruchele flesch wiðute bruche leadest.
1674. Ray, N. C. Wds., 8. Brichol [printed brichoe], brittle. Var. Dial. and Chesh.
1857. J. Scholes, Jaunt to see Queen, 47, in Lanc. Gloss. As britchel as egg-shells.
