brittle star: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “brittle star” mean?
A marine invertebrate animal with a small central disc and long, slender, flexible arms that can break off easily.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A marine invertebrate animal with a small central disc and long, slender, flexible arms that can break off easily; a type of echinoderm related to starfish.
In metaphorical use, can refer to something fragile, delicate, or easily broken, though this is rare. In computing, sometimes used informally to describe a network topology with a central hub and fragile connections.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use the same term.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both, confined to marine biology, aquarium keeping, and educational contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “brittle star” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] brittle star [VERB] in the [NOUN].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brittle star” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The brittle-star morphology is fascinating.
- We studied brittle-star anatomy.
American English
- The brittle star morphology is fascinating.
- We studied brittle star anatomy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in marine biology, zoology, and paleontology texts.
Everyday
Rare, except among aquarium enthusiasts or in nature documentaries.
Technical
Standard term in marine science and aquarium literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brittle star”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brittle star”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brittle star”
- Misspelling as 'brittle-star' (hyphenated) in running text is common but generally considered incorrect in modern usage.
- Confusing it with a true starfish (Asteroidea), which has thicker, less flexible arms.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different classes of echinoderms. Brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) have distinct, slender, flexible arms that move snakelike, while true starfish (Asteroidea) have thicker, more rigid arms.
It is named for its arms, which are fragile and can break off (autotomize) easily as a defense mechanism against predators.
Yes, one of their remarkable features is the ability to regenerate lost arms.
They are found in oceans worldwide, from shallow reefs to deep-sea environments, often hiding under rocks or in crevices.
A marine invertebrate animal with a small central disc and long, slender, flexible arms that can break off easily.
Brittle star is usually technical/scientific in register.
Brittle star: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪtl ˈstɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪtl ˈstɑːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a star made of brittle china or glass—its arms look delicate and can break off easily.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRAGILITY IS BRITTLENESS (The creature embodies the property of its name).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a brittle star?