German edit

Etymology edit

From the vb. brenzeln (to smell burnt things), itself from brennen (to burn).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈbʁɛnt͡slɪç/ (standard)
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  • IPA(key): /ˈbʁɛnt͡slɪk/ (common form in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland)
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  • Hyphenation: brenz‧lig

Adjective edit

brenzlig (strong nominative masculine singular brenzliger, comparative brenzliger, superlative am brenzligsten)

  1. (dated) smelling of combusted or burnt materials
    Tritt also der brenzlige Geruch auf, so ist das der sicherste Beweis, daß tierische Fasern vorhanden sind
    If a smell of burnt (matter) is perceived, that is the surest proof of animal fibres being involved
  2. (by extension) ticklish, dangerous, unsettling
    Synonyms: bedenklich, heikel, gefährlich
    Der Sport-Club hatte in mehreren brenzligen Situationen Glück
    The sport team has been lucky in many ticklish situations

Declension edit

Further reading edit

  • brenzlig” in Duden online
  • brenzlig” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache