brisance

[bri-zahns; French bree-zahns]

noun

the shattering effect of a high explosive.

Origin of brisance

1910–15; < French, equivalent to bris(er) to break (< Celtic; akin to Irish brisim (I) break) + -ance -ance

Related formsbri·sant

[bri-zahnt; French bree-zahn] /brɪˈzɑnt; French briˈzɑ̃/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for brisance

Historical Examples of brisance

It isn't exactly strength or hardness or toughness or resilience or brisance—maybe a combination of all five.
The Galaxy Primes
Edward Elmer Smith

British Dictionary definitions for brisance

brisance

noun

the shattering effect or power of an explosion or explosive

Derived Formsbrisant, adjective

Word Origin for brisance

C20: from French, from briser to break, ultimately of Celtic origin; compare Old Irish brissim I break

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012