Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Splinter

Splin′ter

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Splintered
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Splintering
.]
[Cf. LG.
splittern
,
splinteren
. See
Splint
,
Noun.
,
Split
.]
1.
To split or rend into long, thin pieces; to shiver;
as, the lightning
splinters
a tree
.
After
splintering
their lances, they wheeled about, and . . . abandoned the field to the enemy.
Prescott.
2.
To fasten or confine with splinters, or splints, as a broken limb.
Bp. Wren.

Splin′ter

,
Verb.
I.
To become split into long pieces.

Splin′ter

,
Noun.
[See
Splinter
,
Verb.
, or
Splint
,
Noun.
]
A thin piece split or rent off lengthwise, as from wood, bone, or other solid substance; a thin piece; a sliver;
as,
splinters
of a ship’s mast rent off by a shot
.
Splinter bar
.
(a)
A crossbar in a coach, which supports the springs
.
(b)
The bar to which the traces are attached; a roller bolt; a whiffletree.

Webster 1828 Edition


Splinter

SPLINTER

,
Verb.
I.
To be split or rent into long pieces.

Definition 2024


splinter

splinter

English

Noun

splinter (plural splinters)

  1. A long, sharp fragment of material, often wood.
  2. A group that formed by splitting off from a larger membership.
Synonyms
Translations

Etymology 2

From the noun splinter.

Verb

splinter (third-person singular simple present splinters, present participle splintering, simple past and past participle splintered)

  1. (intransitive) To come apart into long sharp fragments.
    The tall tree splintered during the storm.
  2. (transitive) To cause to break apart into long sharp fragments.
    His third kick splintered the door.
    • Prescott
      After splintering their lances, they wheeled about, and [] abandoned the field to the enemy.
  3. (figuratively, of a group) To break, or cause to break, into factions.
    The government splintered when the coalition members could not agree.
    The unpopular new policies splintered the company.
  4. (transitive) To fasten or confine with splinters, or splints, as a broken limb.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Bishop Wren to this entry?)
Related terms
Translations