embrittle

[em-brit-l]

verb (used with or without object)

embrittled, embrittling 

1. to make or become brittle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of embrittle¹

First recorded in 1900–05; em- ¹ + brittle

Example Sentences

And hydrogen can embrittle steel pipelines unless that is mitigated by altering operating conditions or incorporating expensive alloys.

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