brisance

[ bri-zahns; French bree-zahns ]
/ brɪˈzɑns; French briˈzɑ̃s /

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

OTHER WORDS FROM brisance

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

Words nearby brisance

briony, briquet, briquet's syndrome, briquette, bris, brisance, brisbane, brisbane box, brise-bise, brise-soleil, brisement forcé

Example sentences from the Web for 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
/ (ˈbriːzəns, French brizɑ̃s) /

noun

the shattering effect or power of an explosion or explosive

Derived forms of brisance

brisant, adjective

Word Origin for brisance

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