Obs. [ME. brusell(ü), brysl, brysell, bresil, on OE. type *brýsol, f. brýsan to crush, break.] Brittle, fragile.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 8568–71. Þoghe þat hys flesshe be brysl and brym.
c. 1325. Metr. Hom., 120. Brukel [Camb. MS. brusell] blod and bane. Ibid., 154. For fleys es brokel [Camb. MS. brysell] als wax, and neys.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, ii. 11. The pote of laire is bresil and soen will breke. Ibid., ciii. 30. That thai ere dust and erth: that is, brisil and erthly.
1483. Cath. Angl., 44. Brysille, fragilis.
1802. J. Sibbald, Chron. Sc. Poetry, Gloss. (Jam.), Brissal, brittle.
