Standard Lemma guide

brisant

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Having a shattering effect.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • 1959, Mitchel H. Bertram, William V. Feller, Memorandum 5-24-59L: A Simple Method for Determining Heat Transfer, Skin Friction, and Boundary-Layer Thickness for Hypersonic Laminar Boundary-Layer Flows in a Pressure Gradient, NASA, 5, At the start of the run a shattering or "brisant" detonation occurred in the line between the oxidant control valve (number 5, fig. 2(a)) and the oxidant tank. [...] The propellant tank showed evidence of high internal pressure but no brisant detonation.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective

Meaning 2

of or relating to the power (the shattering effect) of an explosive

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

from the French noun/adjective brisant.