Adjective

(er)

Capable of producing great physical force.

Capable of withstanding great physical force.

fast moving water, wind, etc, which has a lot of power.

Determined; unyielding.

* , chapter=10

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong , like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.}}

Highly stimulating to the senses.

Having an offensive or intense odor or flavor.

Having a high concentration of an essential or active ingredient.

(specifically) Having a high alcoholic content.

(grammar) Inflecting in a different manner than the one called weak, such as Germanic verbs which change vowels.

(military) Not easily subdued or taken.

(slang, US) Impressive, good.

Having a specified number of people or units.

(of a disease or symptom) (l) (very bad or intense)

* 2005 , Andrew Gaeddert, Healing Immune Disorders: Natural Defense-Building Solutions , North Atlantic Books, page 221:

Physicians may diagnosis influenza by a throat culture or blood test, which may be important if you have a particularly strong flu, if your doctor suspects pneumonia or a bacterial infection.

(mathematics, logic) Having a wide range of logical consequences; widely applicable. (Often contrasted with a statement which it implies.)

Adjective

(en-adj)

Inflexible, liable to break or snap easily under stress or pressure.

Cast iron is much more brittle than forged iron.

A diamond is hard but brittle .

* 1977 , , Penguin Classics, p. 329:

'Do you suppose our convent, and I too, / Are insufficient, then, to pray for you? / Thomas, that joke's not good. Your faith is brittle .

Not physically tough or tenacious; apt to break or crumble when bending.

* Shortbread'' is my favorite cold pastry, yet being so brittle it crumbles easily, and a lot goes to waste.

(archaeology) Said of rocks and minerals with a conchoidal fracture; capable of being knapped or flaked.

Emotionally fragile, easily offended.

What a brittle personality! A little misunderstanding and he's an emotional wreck.

(informal, proscribed) Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Merck manual Diabetes that is characterized by dramatic swings in blood sugar level.