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shred

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The definition of a shred is a small amount of something, or is a bit of broken-off or torn off paper or other material.

(verb)

If you are horribly embarrassed about something that happens and you feel as if you only have a tiny little bit of dignity left, this is an example of when you have only a shred of dignity.

To shred is to tear or cut something up into small pieces.

(verb)

When you are nervous and you rip a paper napkin up into little pieces, this is an example of when you shred your napkin.

See shred in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a long, narrow strip or piece made by cutting or tearing
a very small piece or amount; fragment; particle: not a shred of evidence

Origin: ME schrede < OE screade, akin to Ger & MDu schrot < IE *(s)kreu(t)- (> L scrotum, scrotum) < base *(s)ker-, to cut > shear, harvest

transitive verb shredded or shred, shredding

to cut or tear into shreds

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