[f. BRITTLE a. + -NESS.] The quality of being brittle; fragility.
1488. Caxton, Chast. Goddes Chyld., 95. Thou sholdest know … thyne owne bretilnesse and unmighte to stonde.
1548. Hall, Chron. (1809), 547. Remembrynge the brytilnes of your promise.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric., viii. § 1 (1681), 154. The brittleness of the inner stalk.
1862. Goulburn, Pers. Relig., 202. The extreme brittleness and frailty of the human will.
1869. Roscoe, Elem. Chem., 178. Hardness, brittleness, and tenacity, are physical properties of great importance.
