splinter Hear it!

splinter Definition

splin·ter (splin′tər)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

  1. to break or split into thin, sharp pieces
  2. to break into small parts or into groups with divergent views; fragment

Etymology: ME < MDu, akin to splinte, splint

noun

  1. a thin, sharp piece of wood, bone, etc., made by splitting or breaking; sliver
  2. a splinter group

adjective

designating a group that separates from a main party, church, etc. because of divergent views

splinter Synonyms

splinter

n.

sliver, shiver, fragment, piece, flake, chip, wood; see also bit 1.

splinter Synonyms

splinter

v.

shiver, shatter, split; see break 2, smash. See syn. study at break.

splinter Usage Examples

Object

  • bone: The splintered bones were in such a large quantity that this must be a multiple burial.
  • wood: Pressing against the splintered wood of the old barn she just hoped the figure going past did not notice her.

Converse of object

  • remove: The Baja Web site assures that getting rid of the microchip is a simple and harmless procedure, something like removing a splinter.
  • get: An old woman had 2 months previously, got a splinter in the skin on her right forearm.
  • do: Ensure the wood does not splinter outward by working from both sides.
  • have: Has anyone ever had a splinter from a second hand or old cymbal?
  • see: Christ commands us to see not only the splinter in our adversary's eye, but also the beam in our own.

Preposition: into

  • piece: They splinter into small pieces and you can hear the sudden crack of breaking bones over the deeper noises of the factory.

Adjective modifier

  • shell: He'd been hit in the eye with a shell splinter.
  • small: Wooden toys tend to be safer for birds as small splinters can break off plastic toys if they are pecked too much.

Modifies a noun

  • group: Put off the by the queue or the music, a splinter group headed next door to the Prince of Wales.
  • cell: Splinter Cell, or to give it its full title, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, turned quite a few heads upon release.

Noun used with modifier

  • shell: I counted 22 bullet holes and one large hole where a shell splinter had entered, finishing in the galley.
  • glass: So a glass splinter will not itch or irritate, and so it will work into your body.
  • metal: Penetrating trauma of the soft tissues of the neck caused by a metal splinter.

Preposition: of

  • wood: He says it was caused by a splinter of wood entering his head from a shot on board a boat.
  • bone: Turning back to his foe the mage unleashed a volley of three magic missiles then ducked as splinters of bone flew through the air.
  • glass: I had to pick the splinters of glass out of his head.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • off: This is a potential area for damage as the wood is easily knocked and could splinter off.