An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A → substance that has a low → elastic limit. For example → glass, which breaks if its low elastic limit is exceeded.

Etymology (EN): M.E. britel, from brit-, akin to O.E. brytan “to crush, break to pieces,”

• -el adj. suffix.

Etymology (PE): Tord “brittle, fragile;” ultimately from Proto-Ir. *tard- “to split, pierce;” related to tâlidan (Dehxodâ) “to spoliate, plunder,” eftâlidan “to tear, break,” → dissipate; cf. Shughni tidarδ- “to tear, pluck,” zidarδ- “to tear, break;”
Skt. tard- “to split, to pierce.”